In a significant development, the Saudi Public Prosecution has taken action against a criminal gang comprising seven Saudi citizens. These individuals stand accused of orchestrating an intricate fraud scheme that targeted an elderly Saudi suffering from health issues, ultimately stealing an astounding SR23 million (approximately $6.13 million) from the vulnerable individual.

The charges brought against the members of this illicit group encompass financial fraud, forgery, money laundering, and cybercrimes. A criminal case has been filed against them, and authorities are seeking stiff penalties for their actions.

An investigation conducted by the Financial Fraud unit of the Public Prosecution unraveled a deceptive operation that involved a diverse group of professionals. This group included businessmen, a licensed female lawyer, a government employee, a telecommunications company worker, and an employee from a real estate office. Together, they collaborated to defraud the elderly victim, capitalizing on his fragile health condition to siphon off his financial assets.

The probe uncovered that one of the businessmen in the group, impersonating a lawyer, exploited his prior knowledge of the victim's real estate holdings, financial affairs, and health status to execute the fraudulent scheme.

The impersonator engaged in forgery of commercial contracts, alteration of the victim's confidential numbers for electronic government services with the assistance of a government agency worker, and procurement of a SIM card under the victim's name. Additionally, the group involved a licensed female lawyer who, wielding a forged power of attorney, purported to represent the victim. She issued electronic bonds and initiated lawsuits against him based on false asset claims. The entire fraudulent operation was conducted in a fictitious location, overseen by an employee of a real estate office.

This series of fraudulent activities culminated in the theft of SR23 million. The impersonating businessman was also found to have illegally opened and operated a law office without proper licensing, including falsification of academic qualifications and personal information, with the help of the implicated government employee.

In response to this incident, the Saudi Public Prosecution has affirmed its unwavering commitment to initiating criminal proceedings and imposing severe penalties on individuals found guilty of fraud, particularly those who exploit digital government processes to perpetrate their crimes.