In a recent development, a Riyadh coffeehouse faces penalties for deceptive practices, as authorities unveil a scheme involving the concealment of small cups to coerce customers into purchasing larger sizes for increased profits. This incident sheds light on the prevalent issue of business fraud in Saudi Arabia.

Abdul Rahman Al Hussain, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, revealed that inspections exposed the fraudulent scheme, leading to the confiscation of a significant quantity of small cups hidden in a warehouse linked to the café. While specific penalties are not detailed in the report by Saudi news website Akhbar24, on-the-spot penalties were reportedly issued to the café.

This occurrence occurs within the context of a broader crackdown on various forms of business fraud across Saudi Arabia. In a recent high-profile case, a petrol station owner faced public naming and shaming after being convicted of commercial fraud for adulterating petrol with diesel. The court mandated the owner to pay a fine and cover the expenses of publishing the verdict in local media as part of the punishment.

The Ministry of Commerce has ramped up efforts to monitor businesses nationwide, aiming to safeguard consumer rights and expose perpetrators of commercial fraud. Initiatives include the establishment of a dedicated prosecution branch focused on handling fraud cases, with the goal of expediting legal proceedings related to such offenses.

These measures underscore the Saudi government's unwavering commitment to combat fraudulent practices in businesses, ensuring equitable and transparent commercial transactions for consumers.