4 arrested for making fake currency in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province

Abu Dhabi: Four people, a Saudi, two Palestinian resident and an Egyptian woman, have been arrested for allegedly making counterfeit currency in the Eastern Province, police said.

Acting on a tip-off, the police prepared a plan to trap the suspects, in their 30s and 40s, who were caught in Dammam, said Eastern Province police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Al Shahri.

Al Shahri added the suspects were arrested in possession of 21,000 counterfeit banknotes in a housing unit they had taken as a den to practice their crime.

Police also seized forgery machines, tools and illegal drugs, police said.

The suspects were remanded in custody and all legal measures were taken to refer them to the Public Prosecution for further questioning and trial, police said.

According to Saudi laws, anyone found guilty of making and circulating fake Saudi riyals would be liable for a jail time from 5 to 25 years and would be fined between SR30,000 and SR500,000.

Anyone found in possession of counterfeit currency or forgery machines would be liable for a similar penalty.