Saudi police arrest eight expats over SIM card scam

Abu Dhabi: Saudi anti-cybercrime police have arrested eight expatriates for allegedly setting up an illegal shop in Al Dirah district in central Riyadh dealing in SIM cards, using forged identity cards, Colonel Shaker Al Tuwaijri, the media spokesman for the Riyadh police, said.

He added the accused, of Bangladeshi nationality in their 30s and 50s, allegedly registered these SIM cards in the name of citizens and residents without their knowledge.

The police seized from their possession 45,000 SIM cards belonging to a number of companies, and more than 100 copies of ID cards and stamps of fingerprints belonging to a number of citizens and residents, 145 cell phones, 27 fingerprint readers, and five computers.

They were referred to the Public Prosecution, pending further investigation and trial, Colonel Al Tuwaijri said.

According to a Public Security report, a young man was arrested after publishing a video clip containing expressions that violate public morals, inappropriate words towards educational and health institutions, and allegations against women.

Meanwhile, a police report on the crimes of most pressing concern for the public said eight people were arrested over rock-throwing attacks on a number of vehicles.

People who violated the curfew, boasting about their actions, documenting and publishing them were also arrested, according to the report released on Thursday.

The report also referred to the arrest of a Saudi citizen driving his vehicle in a dangerous way, and ‘drifting’ in one of the public roads.

A Saudi citizen and two illegal residents were arrested in connection with manufacturing and marketing of intoxicating substances.

The report said a citizen was arrested after committing two knifepoint burglaries in two catering stores in the neighbourhoods of Al Olaya and Al Woroud. The accused robbed a sum of money and a number of devices.

A group of people was arrested for violating the coronavirus curfew in Saudi Arabia, the police said.