35,000 counterfeit smartphones and accessories seized in Riyadh

Dubai: Inspection teams from the Ministry of Commerce, in coordination with security authorities, have seized more than 35,000 counterfeit smartphones and accessories at a facility in Riyadh.

During a raid on the premises, inspectors uncovered counterfeit mobile phones of unknown origin, along with large quantities of fake accessories such as charging cables, earphones, and other electronic items. The warehouses also contained forged labels bearing the names of well-known brands and falsified country-of-origin markings.

The facility has since been shut down, and those involved have been referred to the relevant authorities for legal action. The case has also been forwarded to the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property for further investigation. Under the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law, violators face penalties that may include imprisonment for up to three years, fines of up to SAR 1 million, or both. Additional consequences may involve the deportation of workers involved in the offense and public naming and shaming of violators following final court rulings.

The move comes as part of the ministry’s broader efforts to protect consumers and uphold fair trade practices. The ministry recently released its consumer sector report for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting extensive inspection campaigns across the Kingdom, particularly in the Mecca and Medina regions during the Umrah and Hajj seasons.

In total, the ministry conducted more than 132,000 inspection visits across various commercial sectors during the first quarter of the year. They included over 126,000 visits targeting commercial fraud and more than 6,500 inspections aimed at combating cover-up practices.