Ministry of Commerce spots new methods of e-commerce fraud: Spokesperson

Abdul Rahman Al Hussein, Spokesman for Ministry of Commerce

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce monitored various methods of electronic fraud through fake websites impersonating popular stores by copying the trademark and brand in order to entrap and defraud shoppers, Saudi Press Agency reported, citing Ministry Spokesperson Abdul Rahman Al Hussein. 

Al Hussein warned consumers not to deal with fake websites so as not to be subject to financial fraud. 

He called for verifying the authenticity of a store's website by copying the commercial registration number available on the store's webpage and matching it to the commercial registration data on the website of the Ministry of Commerce. 

The official also explained the mechanism of verifying sites that do not have a commercial record but have a freelancer license. He added that the authenticity of their data is verified through the “Marouf” platform, which shows the data of the online store. 

The official practice of e-commerce requires the issuance of a commercial register, or a freelancer license, in order to protect consumer rights, and to prevent fraud and deception from fake stores, Al Hussein added.