Saudi media reported that Saudi police arrested three expatriates suspected of illegally collecting money of unknown origin and transferring it outside the kingdom.

The three expats, who are Sudanese nationals, were arrested in the eastern city of Dammam.

According to the Saudi news agency SPA, the dubious money was transferred outside the kingdom illegally through bank accounts.

According to the report, police seized SR780,000 from one suspect's house.

They were referred to public prosecution.

Several arrests over illegal money transfers were reported in Saudi media recently.

A Saudi court sentenced an expatriate to two years in prison in August for attempting to smuggle $279,000 out of the kingdom in boxes of dates.

At Jeddah's King Abdulaziz Airport, the defendant, who holds an African nationality, was arrested.

According to investigations, the man attempted to smuggle the dollar cache inside two dates boxes hidden in his bag.

At the time of his arrest, he also had SR5,000 in his possession.

In addition to being charged with money laundering, the court ordered that the seized money be confiscated and that the man be deported after serving his jail term.

A tougher penalty has been requested by the prosecution in its appeal against the ruling.

The Saudi public prosecution has repeatedly stressed its keenness to protect the national economy and warned that violators of the country's financial system will face criminal charges.