ABHA , 25 October — Security authorities in the Asir region are investigating three Saudis for allegedly selling Saudi identity cards and driving licenses to illegal residents in the country at the rate of SR2,000 to SR5,000 per document.
First Lt. Abdullah Al-Aseeri, commander of patrol police in the Asir region, told Arab News that police arrested the three following a clampdown on illegal foreigners in the region.
The illegal residents were found carrying Saudi IDs and driving licenses with their photographs taken in Saudi national dress.
He said the arrested persons told the police how they received the fake ID cards and driving licenses. He said the fake documents carried information of Saudis who had lost their IDs and licenses.
The illegals have been transferred to the department of expatriates at the Passport Department to investigate them and take punitive measures before they are deported.
Investigators are questioning the three Saudis to find out the motives behind the crime, which is likely to undermine the country’s security.
Mohammed Ali Al-Silmi, director of civilian affairs in the Asir region, told Arab News that selling Saudi IDs to intruders involves both forgery and impersonation deserving tough punishment.
He said Saudis who have lost their IDs have been told to inform the authorities within two weeks to issue replacements and find out the lost ones to avoid misuse of their IDs and documents by criminals.
