RIYADH – The Ministry of Commerce and Investment has cautioned the public against the sale and marketing of counterfeit and imitation products through websites and social media networking sites. "It's a violation of the anti-trade fraud law and trade marks law," the ministry said, adding that people involved in such crimes would be jailed up to three years and fined up to SR1 million, Al-Jazirah daily reported. The ministry urged owners of e-commerce and e-marketing sites on the social media to register with its www.maroof.sa portal in order to ensure credibility of their business. Maroof conducts assessment of e-business in the Kingdom in light of opinions expressed by consumers on quality and quick delivery. The ministry urged consumers to make sure the products they purchase are registered with maroof to guarantee their rights. More than 15,000 electronic trading and marketing websites have been so far registered with maroof. They engage in e-marketing, e-solutions, event planning, festivals, electronics, women's accessories, designing, furniture and decoration, kitchens, real estate and cars. Maroof plays a significant role in boosting confidence among people engaged in e-trading, e-marketing and e-purchasing. "It gives consumers access to large number of products. People will be able to purchase them with confidence in light of comments of shoppers and consumers," Al-Jazirah said quoting the ministry's statement. "Maroof allows e-traders to add links of their accounts on the social media to their page on www.maroof.sa and receive more customers," the ministry said. Maroof also protects the rights of consumers by informing them about counterfeit products. The ministry has urged the public to contact its toll free number 1900 to inform about fake and imitation products in the market and e-marketing sites. The ministry issues licenses to those who want to engage in e-commerce and e-marketing. They are also given maroof certificates to promote genuine products, Al-Jazirah said. Maroof keeps information of their clients confidential. The registration of e-commerce and e-marketing sites on www.maroof.sa would not take more than a few seconds. The ministry has closed more than 75 accounts on social media including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, for posting thousands of ads for fake goods, Al-Jazirah reported. The ministry said it took the step to protect an estimated 1.5 million followers of these accounts from falling victim to fake promotions. Dozens of such accounts regularly post fraudulent advertisements. "The ministry has been monitoring advertisements posted on social media websites, especially those that appear to be of suspicious products, or that seek to deceive people," said a senior official at the ministry. He said the ministry has drafted an e-commerce law that is currently being studied by specialists. The objective of the law is to support e-commerce by creating a safe environment that the public can trust, he said, adding that it would also protect them from deception and fraud. He said maroof electronic platform allows owners of e-commerce websites and productive families to practice their commercial activities through social media platforms and websites as it issues certificates to prove their registration with maroof.
