Bank accounts of deported may be frozen in Kuwait

The concerned officials at the Ministry of Interior has started coordinating with their counterparts in banks to freeze the accounts suspected of being used for illegal activities, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources. Sources disclosed the ministry officials asked banks to close the accounts of those who have been deported; otherwise, these accounts might be used illegally.

Sources explained that mitigating the risks of not closing the accounts of those who have been deported necessitates the coordinated efforts of the Residency Affairs General Department and the banks in order to prevent the illegal use of these accounts.

However, sources from the banking sector told the daily that it is difficult to immediately apply such mechanism for the accounts of all deportees. They said this might be acceptable for holders of regular bank accounts, which do not require a maintaining balance or have no balance at all.

They added it is difficult to close the accounts if the holders still need to pay installments for loans, are entitled to financial privileges that do not require their presence in Kuwait or job entitlements. They pointed out that closing this type of account necessitates a certain period to settle the position of the holder, especially if the latter has a deposit linked to his account as the deposit must be stopped first before closing the account.