Ministry of Commerce and Investment has defamed a fuel station in Hail. The gas station found guilty of violating the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law by manipulating and tampering with the fuel pumps, and deliberately reducing the calibration. This is considered a clear deception, cheating and misleading towards the consumers.
A judgment was issued by the Criminal Court of Hail, condemning the gas station and imposing a fine, as well as defamation by publishing the sentence in two local newspapers at the expense of the defendant.
In details, MCI inspection teams received a complaint from a citizen about a shortage of gasoline in the fuel pump. The inspectors carried out the necessary examination and calibration. It turned out that the fuel value does not match the filled liters, so a shortage of liters has been proved. Accordingly, the concerned pumps had been closed, and the case was referral to the judicial authorities for taking the legal measures in accordance with the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law.
Notably, MCI had already published a verdict against an oil company, convicted of mixing diesel with gasoline. A verdict was issued condemning the said company of violating the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law, besides imposing a fine, and defamation by publishing the verdict in the local newspapers.
The Ministry of Commerce and Investment confirms the continuation of addressing those violating the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law by taking stern measures and imposing the legal penalties against them, in view of the fraud and deception towards the consumers. The Rules & Regulations related to Anti-Commercial Fraud Law stipulates penalties that may reach to three-year imprisonment, fines up to one million riyals or both , Defamation in two local newspapers at the expense of the violator, deportation of the illegal labors from the Kingdom, besides the suspension and prevention of practicing the same commercial activity.
MCI calls on all consumers to lodge their complaints or observations through MCI Consumer Call Center (1900), or through the application of a Commercial Violation Report, or via the Ministry's website.