As from the first step of implementing the E-Commerce Law, the Ministry of Commerce has blocked two foreign websites condemned of targeting the Saudi market, through the social media, with fake offers. These websites used to make promotions for counterfeit perfumes, bearing registered famous trademarks, by claiming that they are original. This is considered a kind of fraud and misleading towards the consumers.
This comes within the Ministry's efforts to monitor and track the infringing websites to protect and preserve the consumers’ rights against any fraud or counterfeit practices. Therefore, any infringing websites would be blocked immediately in coordination with the concerned authorities.
The Ministry has monitored how the two sites are violating the provisions of the E-Commerce Law. Accordingly, the violation was referred to the committee concerned of e-commerce violation.
Notably, article 17th of the E-Commerce Law stipulates that the Minister or his representative may take the decision to partially or totally block any infringing e-store in coordination with the competent authority, until the violation is resolved or decided upon or referred to the committee concerned of e-commerce violations.
The Ministry of Commerce would like to reiterate its warning to all consumers against purchasing from unknown websites and accounts through the social media, calling for purchasing from e-stores, accounts and webpages that have a commercial registration or registered under the e-service “Ma’arouf”, or from the website known worldwide. This is to ensure and protect the consumers’ rights.
The Ministry of Commerce urges all e-stores to adhere to the E-Commerce Law and its executive regulations. Meanwhile, the Ministry will not hesitate to impose the legal penalties against any e-store in violation. The Ministry will respond immediately to any complaints or report received by the Ministry’s Consumer Call Center (1900), or to the application of a Commercial Violation Report, or to any complaints received via the Ministry's website.