An owner of a gas station selling fake fuel has been defamed by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).

Following a judicial ruling by the Criminal Court in the Jazan Region against him for violating the anti-commercial fraud law, the MOC has defamed the citizen.

It was discovered that he was selling fake fuel that did not meet the standards and specifications set by the government.

Results of the testing of the fuel that citizens use revealed that he was mixing other materials with gasoline 91.

The Jazan Regional Criminal Court has fined the citizen and issued a defamation order for publishing the ruling against him in two newspapers at his own expense.

A violation of the MOC requires every violating gas station to fix the damaged car at its own expense, and all the affected persons have the right to take their case to the court for compensation.

In the anti-commercial fraud legislation, fines up to SR2 million can be imposed, along with jail terms of up to 3 years. Other actions include defaming the violators and deporting non-Saudi violators outside the Kingdom.

In all Saudi Arabian regions, the MOC monitors gas stations so as to ensure they comply with regulations, to detect violations of the anti-commercial fraud law, and to impose punitive measures, including fines, if warranted.

Consumers are also being asked to report violating establishments via the "Balagh Tijary" app, or by calling 1900.