A 36-year-old Bahraini man faces retrial after being sentenced in absentia to three years in prison for allegedly withdrawing BD2,490 from a businessman's bank account. This initial conviction occurred without the accused being present in court. The fraudulent withdrawal, which forms the basis of the charges, occurred on June 6, 2023. Authorities identified the accused as the main suspect in the case and subsequently referred him to the High Criminal Court for further proceedings. The individual was initially convicted without being present in court, leading to the current retrial. This legal process is now set to re-examine the evidence and circumstances surrounding the alleged bank fraud, offering the defendant an opportunity to present his case.
Mechanics of the Alleged Fraud
The alleged fraud involved obtaining a replacement SIM card in the victim's name, which then enabled access to an electronic payment application. This key step allowed the perpetrator to bypass security measures and gain control over the victim's digital financial services. The accused reportedly used the victim’s electronic signature and verification codes to activate the BenefitPay app, according to claims made in court. Through this method, the defendant allegedly unlawfully appropriated funds by activating linked bank accounts. The specific amount withdrawn from the businessman's bank account totaled BD2,490. This sum represents the core of the financial charges against the defendant, detailing the precise monetary loss incurred by the victim.
The victim discovered his SIM card was no longer functioning upon his arrival in Bahrain. He had not been informed that a replacement SIM card had been issued in his name earlier on the same day, which was a critical step in the alleged scheme. Subsequently, the bank confirmed that transactions had been carried out through the BenefitPay application, raising immediate concerns for the victim. An official from the anti-money laundering team confirmed that two distinct financial transactions occurred, totaling BD2,490. These transactions were identified as BD1,490 and BD1,000, as detailed by the anti-money laundering team official, providing specific figures for the alleged fraudulent activity. The victim found insufficient funds in his account the following day, prompting him to investigate and report the suspicious activity.
Background and Legal Proceedings
The accused, a 36-year-old man, denies all charges related to the alleged bank fraud, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings. The victim, a 42-year-old GCC national, had granted the defendant a limited power of attorney to manage certain company affairs in Bahrain. The victim stated, "He had granted the defendant a limited power of attorney to manage certain company affairs in Bahrain as he travelled, with the authority restricted to opening bank accounts only and did not permit the defendant to handle funds, use the accounts, or access the registered telephone number linked to them." This power of attorney was specifically restricted to opening bank accounts only, a key detail noting the alleged overreach of authority.
The court heard that the power of attorney did not authorize the defendant to handle funds, use bank accounts, or access the registered telephone number linked to them, directly contradicting the actions allegedly taken. This specific limitation shows the victim's intent to grant only administrative powers, not financial control. The victim discovered insufficient funds in his account the day after the alleged fraudulent transactions, which immediately raised red flags regarding the defendant's activities. A telecommunications company employee testified in court that the defendant had requested the replacement SIM card in the victim’s name. To obtain the SIM card, the defendant presented the limited power of attorney along with other supporting documents, seemingly leveraging the legitimate document for illicit purposes and exploiting the trust placed in him.
Court's Next Steps
The Bahraini man involved in the alleged bank fraud was fined BD3,000 as part of the initial legal proceedings, in addition to the three-year prison sentence he received in absentia. The imposition of this fine, alongside the custodial sentence, reflects the severity with which the initial court viewed the alleged financial misconduct. The case is now proceeding to a retrial at the High Criminal Court, following a successful appeal by the accused. His appeal led to the matter being referred back to the High Criminal Court for a fresh examination of the evidence and circumstances, granting him the opportunity for a new hearing. Judges are scheduled to announce their verdict on the retrial on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, bringing the protracted legal process closer to a final resolution and determining the ultimate fate of the accused.
