Saudi Arabia Gold Scam: Officers closed foreign e-commerce store, which is selling fake gold bullion. world News
A foreign online store targeting Saudi consumers has been closed by the Ministry of Commerce to sell fake gold bullion. This step highlights regulatory vigilance to protect online shoppers from misleading practices, especially involving precious metals.
Violation detected: Fake gold paid on half market price
The Ministry of Commerce exposed a serious violation by incorporating an online store working outside Saudi Arabia. The platform was actively promoting fake gold bullion to consumers within the state. Prices were marketed compared to standard rates – 50% lower than market price – products were incorrectly presented as real gold.In fact, the items were copper-based and coated only with gold to mimic the authentic bullion. The intention was to believe buyers that they were purchasing valid precious metals. These fraud practices targeted Saudi shopkeepers directly and violated the established consumer protection standards.
Immediate action in coordination with officials
On detecting fraudulent activities, the ministry acted fast and decisively. While working in coordination with relevant authorities, the online store was blocked by operations in Saudi Cyberspace. This intervention was aimed at preventing misleading trade and further consumer loss.The Ministry cited violations of e-commerce law and its executive rules, emphasizing that these laws are designed to maintain a fair and transparent digital market. By blocking the store, the authorities strengthened their commitment to maintain the integrity of e-commerce within the state.
Advice for consumers: verify before purchasing
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Commerce issued a strong advice for all consumers in Saudi Arabia. Shopkeepers were urged to be cautious when they engaged with online platforms – especially working without or without proper verification.Consumers were encouraged to use the service especially available through the Saudi Business Center platform “inquiry on e-commerce documentation” service. This official equipment helps buyers to confirm whether a store is registered, valid, and corresponds to Saudi rules.The Ministry further advised to avoid any behavior with unaware websites, anonymous social media accounts, or unknown online vendors-which is considered necessary to avoid scams, especially those who include high-value items such as gold.
