Saudi Arabia warns against illegal fundraising

Abu Dhabi: The Saudi Public Prosecution has warned against falling for unauthorised fundraising campaigns, saying some of those claiming to raise money are in fact donating to suspicious groups or involved in money laundering, local media reported.

Security authorities have orders to arrest those who raise funds without permits, as relief and humanitarian work is restricted to official bodies.

The Prosecution urged caution in dealing with unauthorised campaigns, warning that funds might reach suspicious parties or be used in money laundering transactions.

The Prosecution said on its Twitter account the perpetrator of a money laundering crime is anyone who transfers, or performs any transaction with the knowledge that it is from the proceeds of a crime, to conceal or disguise the illegal source of those funds, or to assist any person involved in committing a crime.

The Prosecution warned against participation in illegal fundraising or money laundering by way of agreement, assistance, incitement, advice, facilitation, collusion, cover-up or conspiracy.

Money laundering is the illegal process of making large amounts of money generated by a criminal activity, such as drug trafficking or terrorist funding, appear to have come from a legitimate source. The money from the criminal activity is dirty, and the process launders it to make it look clean.