Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH —The National Program to Combat Commercial Concealment (Tasattur) has carried out 3,785 inspection visits across Saudi Arabia during the last month. The inspection campaign resulted in the detection of 123 suspected cases of cover-up and the violators were referred to the competent authorities for investigation and application of deterrent penalties against them.

The inspection raids were carried out on the basis of indications and evidence of suspected commercial concealment. These visits aimed to verify the compliance of the concerned regulations by commercial establishments and to detect crimes and violations of the Anti-Commercial Concealment Law.

The inspections covered several sectors, most notably automotive repair, including mechanical, electrical, bodywork, and painting; retail of luxury goods and clothing accessories; serviced apartments; retail of watches; restaurants with service staff; and general construction of residential buildings.

The penalties of the Anti-Concealment Law consist of imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to SR5 million, and the seizure and confiscation of illicit funds after the issuance of final judicial rulings against those involved. The penalties prescribed by law also include closing the establishment, liquidating the activity, canceling the commercial registration, prohibiting the practice of commercial activity, collecting zakat, fees and taxes, publicizing the crime at the personal expense of the violator, and deportation of expatriates involved in the tasattur and preventing them from return to the Kingdom for work.