Online Scams & Fraud in Saudi Arabia
In the digital era, where connectivity has become an integral part of our lives, online scams, and fraud have emerged as a concerning issue across the globe. Saudi Arabia, a nation known for its rapid technological advancements, is unfortunately not immune to this growing menace. According to a survey conducted by the prestigious King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue, a staggering 62% of the people residing in Saudi Arabia have fallen victim to scam calls or deceptive communications.
This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures to combat online scams and protect the people of Saudi Arabia from financial losses and emotional distress.
Read on to know where you can report online scams and fraud in Saudi Arabia, where to get victim support, and how to report scams.
Scam Statistics in Saudi Arabia
The key statistics on online fraud in Saudi Arabia, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Population | 33.7 million | 34.2 million | 34.8 million | 35 million |
| Internet Penetration | 87% | 90% | 92% | 95% |
| # of Scams | 1063 | 6,595 | 3 million | |
| Scams / 1,000 | 0.03 | 0.2 | 85 | |
| Money Lost | € 628 million | € 49.2 million | €1.8 Billion | |
| Money Lost / Capita | € 18.36 | € 1.41 | € 52.84 | |
| Money Lost / Report | € 590,781 | € 7,460 | € 622.85 |
The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.
Where Can I Report a Scam in Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Anti-Cyber Crime Law Enforcement (National Cybersecurity Authority - NCA)- The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) in Saudi Arabia is responsible for enforcing the Anti-Cyber Crime Law. You can report online scams and cybercrimes to them.
- The Ministry of Commerce- As a consumer, you can report any online scam here via an app or through the complaint form.
- Public Security Department- Through the Absher system, you can report various forms of cybercrime.
- Saudi Central Bank- You can report financial or bank-related online fraud at the Saudi Central Bank. You can reach them at 800-125-6666 or file a complaint online.
How to Report a Scam in Saudi Arabia
Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.
- Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other relevant information. This is needed to file a complete report.
- Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
- Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
- Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.
Scam Victim Support in Saudi Arabia
We are unaware of any scam victim support group in Saudi Arabia.
How to Check for a Scam in Saudi Arabia
Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.
- The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) - Head over here to check for fraud and scams in the financial sector.
- The Consumer Protection Association- Check here for consumer-related issues and fraud as they are in charge of consumer protection.
Popular Scams in Saudi Arabia
Hajj, Umrah online scams
online scams and fraud in Saudi Arabia come in many forms but the Umrah online scams are becoming common.
There is an increasing number of people falling victim to Umrah scams and losing significant amounts of money. Scammers usually use common social engineering schemes such as impersonating popular brands or phishing schemes to dupe faithful.
Scammers target licensed travel agencies leading up to the Muslim pilgrimage of Umrah, offering fraudulent deals for trips to Makkah. These scams affect people of all ages, genders, and locations.
To protect yourself from becoming a victim, several measures are recommended. Firstly, ensure that your travel agent or tour operator is covered by ATOL (Air Travel Organisers License). This ensures that if the agency closes while you are in Saudi Arabia, you will be guaranteed a return flight at no extra cost. It also allows you to get your money back if the agency closes before you leave.
Research the travel company thoroughly before booking and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. It is important to get everything in writing, including terms and conditions, flight, accommodation, and visa details. Checking if your travel agent or tour operator is accredited by the Saudi Embassy is also recommended.
If you have been a victim of the Umrah scam, it is important to report the incident to the police and not suffer in silence. The Muslim community is encouraged to support law enforcement in bringing these criminals to justice.
Scam News From Saudi Arabia
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