RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce has publicly named and shamed a Saudi citizen and a Yemeni resident for engaging in a commercial concealment crime involving the trade of perfumes and cosmetics in Riyadh. Investigations revealed that the Saudi citizen enabled the Yemeni resident to conduct business activities without obtaining a foreign investment license. Authorities seized large sums of money in seven foreign currencies, gold bars, and other evidence proving the resident was operating a commercial enterprise for his own benefit. The resident acted as the de facto owner of the business and engaged in financial transactions far exceeding the scope of his official job as a sales representative. He admitted receiving 20% of the annual net profits in exchange for the Saudi sponsor's concealment. The final ruling, issued by the Criminal Court in Riyadh, includes a joint fine of SR60,000, revocation of the commercial registration, cancellation of the business license, liquidation of the enterprise, and collection of due taxes, zakat, and fees. Both individuals have been banned from commercial activity, while the Yemeni national is to be deported and permanently barred from working in the Kingdom. The Anti-Concealment Law stipulates penalties of up to five years in prison, fines of up to SR5 million, and confiscation of illicit assets following final judicial rulings.
