The Ministry of Commerce and Industry confiscated 20,000 electrical goods, including plugs and chargers, which are inconsistent with Saudi standards and specifications and which may pose a threat to consumers.

The Ministry also shut down two shops during a raid conducted at Bathaa market and summoned the owners of several shops in the market for investigation involving commercial fraud.

Inspection tours conducted by the ministry resulted in detecting shops that were guilty of commercial concealment. Large sums of money were found in these shops, in addition to several signed blank checks and fake seals used by a foreign work force.

The ministry works with the customs department to detect and prosecute fake distributors and importers. It conducts regular checks on markets, warehouses, shops, factories and commercial establishments to eradicate fraudulent practices.

The ministry also targets the smuggling of goods through ports and checks the manipulation of certificates in the country of origin to ensure conformity with the Kingdom’s regulations.

The ministry said it has zero tolerance for those who promote counterfeit goods, especially those that threaten consumer safety.

Ministry teams recently stormed a warehouse in Dammam that was being used as a store and factory to produce counterfeit medical cushions sporting international brands.

About 3,000 cushions of different types were confiscated, the shop was closed down and legal action taken against the owners.

Teams of inspectors also destroyed expired foodstuffs that were inadequately stored at numerous shops and retail stores in Al-Jouf. The owners were summoned to the ministry's headquarters.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has asked consumers to phone 800-124-16-16 to report complaints to its communication center.