Saudi Arabia Issues Travel Ban for Violators of Anti-Commercial Fraud Law

Saudi Arabia moves to prevent violators of anti-commercial fraud law from traveling. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia moves to prevent violators of anti-commercial fraud law from traveling. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Issues Travel Ban for Violators of Anti-Commercial Fraud Law

Saudi Arabia moves to prevent violators of anti-commercial fraud law from traveling. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia moves to prevent violators of anti-commercial fraud law from traveling. (SPA)

Saudi authorities allowed the Public Prosecution to issue a travel ban against the violators of the provisions of the anti-commercial fraud law until the final verdict is issued in the case.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the top authorities directed the Ministry of Interior to deport any non-Saudi convicted of committing any violations stipulated in Article Two of the law and bar them from entering the country again.

The government recently issued amended articles of the law adopted in the Kingdom allowing the Public Prosecution to issue a travel ban against any violator.

The cabinet had reviewed a recommendation prepared by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs. After considering the Shura Council’s decision and the recommendation of the Council’s General Committee, it issued approval to amend Article 23 of the system to comply with the state’s directions and combat violators of the law.

Judicial officers search and investigate the reports and then withdraw samples of the products in question for examination and analysis and issue a statement.

They can also enter and inspect facilities, storage places, and vehicles to investigate the violation and ultimately destroy the product.

Fines against violators of the law can reach $266,000 or imprisonment for a period of up to 3 years or both.

The Ministry of Commerce stressed its aim to protect consumer rights and apply legal penalties to establishments that violate the law.

It urged all consumers to submit their reports about violating facilities through the application of a “commercial fraud notification” or the Call Center at 1900 or the Ministry's official website.



Saudi Arabia Continues Campaign against Violations of Car Dealers, Showrooms

Vehicle prices in Saudi Arabia have witnessed a significant increase. Asharq Al-Awsat
Vehicle prices in Saudi Arabia have witnessed a significant increase. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Continues Campaign against Violations of Car Dealers, Showrooms

Vehicle prices in Saudi Arabia have witnessed a significant increase. Asharq Al-Awsat
Vehicle prices in Saudi Arabia have witnessed a significant increase. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi General Authority for Competition (GAC) continues its campaign to crack down on violations committed by car dealers and showrooms.

On Tuesday, GAC issued decisions to initiate criminal lawsuits against 107 institutions and to study settlement requests submitted by 17 others.

This came after vehicle prices in Saudi Arabia witnessed a significant increase, prompting the concerned government agencies to verify and stop market manipulation.

According to information made available to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Authority investigated last year 155 establishments operating in the automobile sector, and found that 124 institutions have violated the provisions of the Competition Law and its executive regulations.

Violations included agreements between firms on fixing vehicle prices and dividing markets on the basis of geographical areas.

The Authority noted that these violations led to reducing competition and affecting consumer well-being, forcing the Board of Directors to initiate criminal lawsuits against 107 establishments, and to study settlement requests submitted by 17 others.

In January, the Authority approved filing charges against 79 firms, including agents, distributors, and car showrooms, for violating the law and its executive regulations.

The GAC Board held its 85th meeting on Tuesday and decided to initiate a criminal case against a number of establishments, due to allegations of price-fixing, market division, and other anticompetitive practices.

Moreover, the Board reviewed the results of an investigation in the education and industry sectors, and approved taking the necessary measures against six institutions.

It also decided to approve settlement requests submitted by two firms serving cold and hot beverages and pastries, after reviewing the results of the relevant study and investigation.