Latest news about crime and security in Saudi Arabia. Information about the black market is collected from international organizations, intelligence reports, national security agencies and news articles.
An estimated $1.5 Billion (6 Billion Saudi Riyal) in counterfeit electronics are sold in Saudi Arabia each year, according to the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A seller of a counterfeit good in the Kingdom reportedly makes a profit of 200 percent due to its illegal orgins, while the seller of the legitimate item generates a profit of 15 percent.
Source: “SR 6 bn fake goods are sold annually,” Arab Times, March 29, 2013.
In February 2013, security officers in Saudi Arabia and the General Motors Global Investigations team seized over 50,000 counterfeit ACDelco parts. Among the fake auto parts that were seized were oil filters, air filters and wiper blades.
Source: “50,000 counterfeit auto parts seized in KSA raids,” ConstructionWeekOnline.com, March 25, 2013.5
Police officers in Saudi Arabia arrested a forger who was selling fake post-graduate degrees in Saudi Arabia. The man was selling his degrees for $5,000.
The man reportedly sold over 700 degrees and made $3.5 Million (13 Million Saudi Arabian Riyal).
Source: Neil King, “Forger in Saudi made $3.5m selling fake degrees,” Arabian Business, February 25, 2013.
Counterfeit auto parts in the Middle East is estimated to be a $1 Billion market.
Saudi Arabia was ranked first in the 2011 Global Customs Organizations Annual Report of detecting counterfeit auto parts within its border.
Source: “Kingdom top in detection of counterfeit vehicle parts,” Saudi Gazette, February 27, 2013.
The black market value of drug trafficking within Saudi Arabia is estimated to be worth $6.1 Billion (23 Billion Saudi Riyal), according to a university symposium in 2012.
(See drug trafficking values by countries.)
Source: “Drug trafficking ‘worth SR23b’,” Saudi Gazette, December 22, 2012.
Human smugglers in Mecca charge between $53 and $260 (200 to 1,000 Saudi Rials) to pilgrims making the annual trip to Mecca, known as the hajj.
People who attempt to enter Mecca are required to have special permits that allow them entrance. Smugglers state that the fees they charge are justified due to the time it takes to reach Mecca and the difficulty in traveling.
(See all human smuggling prices worldwide.)
Source: “Human smuggling to Mecca thrives during hajj,” Al Arabiya, October 25, 2012.
30 percent of the job visas that are issued in Saudi Arabia end up being sold in the country’s black market.
There are over 2 million workers in Saudi Arabia who are holding job visas purchased on the black market.
Source: “Visa black market is booming in Saudia Arbaia,” Al Bawaba, September 12, 2012.
According to Custom Officials from the United Arab Emirates, between 5 to 10 people are caught attempting to be smuggled into Saudi Arabia every day. The human smugglers often attempt to stow away in trucks as the vehicles enter Saudi Arabia.
Source: Marie-Louise Olson, “People smuggling at Saudi border,” National, April 7, 2012.
According to a auto parts supplier, up to half of all deaths caused by automobile accidents in Saudi Arabia are caused by the use of counterfeit auto parts. The parts are generally 20 to 30 percent cheaper to buy when compared to legitimate auto parts.
The fake auto parts trade in the country is estimated to be worth $3.4 Billion.
Source: Joseph George, “25% auto parts are counterfeit,” Emirates 24/7, September 27, 2011.
In 2008, 24.3 metric tons of amphetamines were seized around the world, with 15.3 metric tons seized in the Middle East. 12.8 metric tons of amphetamines were seized in Saudi Arabia alone in 2008.
Source: Mark Tutton, “Does Saudi have world’s biggest amphetamine habit?,” CNN, July 23, 2010.
