Illegal workers training runaway expats to set up online stores busted in Riyadh
Saudi authorities have detained Asian workers running unauthorized e-commerce training for runaway expats in Riyadh’s Batha district.
Key Takeaways
AIThe Ministry of Commerce has identified a group of Asian workers, who had absconded from their sponsors, establishing and managing online stores for personal gain after receiving training at an unauthorized facility in Riyadh.
According to a ministry statement, the illegal operation was based in the Batha district of Riyadh and managed by a foreign investor with the help of two other expatriates in violation of residency regulations. The group offered training on setting up online stores for 300 riyals per participant, falsely claiming to provide an internationally recognized e-commerce certificate without proper licensing.
A joint operation with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Riyadh police led to the arrest of the violators and the initiation of legal procedures against them.
The two expatriates were referred to the relevant authorities, while the foreign investor was referred to the Ministry of Investment for further action and the imposition of prescribed penalties.