Saudi authorities have detained an Asian expatriate in Riyadh for illegally marketing recycled engine oils of dubious origins, as revealed in footage broadcasted by Al Ekhbariya TV.
The suspect, caught in the act of repackaging oils with false labels of reputable suppliers, admitted to obtaining the oils from an agent, repackaging them, and reselling.
The arrest was part of a coordinated effort by the ministries of commerce and human resources, along with municipal authorities, to combat commercial fraud.
The Ministry of Commerce confirmed that the offender deceived buyers by packaging the oils with misleading labels, constituting commercial fraud.
In response to such crimes, Saudi Arabia established a dedicated prosecution unit to expedite cases of financial fraud.
Under Saudi law, fraud carries severe penalties, including up to seven years imprisonment and fines of up to SR5 million, with stricter consequences for involvement in food adulteration.
