The Ministry of Commerce and Investment has rewarded a citizen from Al Ahsa, Eastern Region, SR 50,000 for reporting about a commercial fraud case in an unlicensed factory and a warehouse. The labors used to fill up fake perfumes and then pack them in packages bearing well-known trademarks. They claim that it is original, thus deceiving, cheating and misleading the consumers.
MCI has executed the judgment issued by the Criminal Court in Dammam against the owner of the violating factory, where he was defamed by publishing the verdict in two newspapers at his expense.
The defendant was convicted of possessing and packing a fraudulent product. Therefore, a fine of SR 200,000 was imposed on him, besides confiscating the machines used for manufacturing and packing the fake perfume, also destroying the seized quantities.
In details, MCI has received a tip from a citizen about unlicensed factory in Al Ahsa, where the labors used to fill up and pack fake perfumes, then to be distributed and sold in the markets. Accordingly, MCI inspection and control teams raided the site and confiscated and destroyed all the fake quantities. Those involved were referred to the judicial authorities for taking the legal measures.
Article 11 of the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law provides that anyone who reports a commercial fraud case shall be rewarded of 25% of the fine, after the issuance of the judgment. The Ministry shall hand over the reward for reporting a commercial fraud case after the judgment becomes final, and after collecting the fine.
MCI had earlier handed over a reward of SR 75.000 to two citizens in Abha, after filing a complaint against an auto agency. A verdict was issued and the agency was fined SR 300.000. Also MCI gave SR 25.000 as a reward to a citizen for informing about a commercial fraud case in Qassim, where a verdict was issued against an auto agency and a fine of SR 100.000 was imposed for violating the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law.
The Ministry of Commerce and Investment is endeavoring to honor the consumers who submit a tip or inform about a commercial fraud case. MCI has great belief in the importance of the consumers' role in supporting the Ministry to combat the commercial fraud cases, as well as the trade violations.
MCI calls on all consumers to cooperate and lodge their complaints and observations through MCI Consumer Call Center (1900) or through the application of a Commercial Violation Report, or via the Ministry's website.