In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce, in coordination with security forces, confiscated over 35,000 fake smartphones and accessories during a raid on a facility. Inspectors discovered mobile phones of unidentified origin along with counterfeit accessories like chargers and earphones. They also found forged brand labels and fake country-of-origin tags.

The facility has been closed, and legal proceedings have begun against those involved. The case is now under review by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. According to the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law, offenders could face up to three years in prison, fines of SAR 1 million, deportation of foreign workers, and public naming after court rulings.

This operation is part of broader efforts by the Ministry to safeguard consumers and promote fair trade. Their Q1 2025 consumer report noted over 132,000 inspection visits, including 126,000 targeting commercial fraud and 6,500 addressing cover-up practices, especially in Mecca and Medina during the Umrah and Hajj seasons.