104 Suspected Commercial Concealment Cases in June

Saudi Arabia's National Program to Combat Commercial Concealment carried out more than 4,500 inspection visits across the Kingdom during June 2026, detecting 104 suspected cases of commercial concealment, authorities reported.

Commercial concealment, known locally as tasattur, is defined as any agreement or arrangement that enables a non-Saudi to practice an unlicensed economic activity in the Kingdom by using a licence or approval issued in the name of a Saudi party. The program relies on data analysis and artificial intelligence linking around 20 government agencies to identify suspicious patterns and high-risk sectors.

Recent campaigns have focused on sectors including contracting and construction, wholesale and retail fabrics and clothing, transport and logistics, car maintenance workshops and spare parts, electronics retail, full-service restaurants, sanitary ware retail, and men's salons.

Penalties and rewards

Under the Anti-Concealment Law, criminal penalties can reach imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to SAR 5,000,000, alongside confiscation of illicit proceeds, business shutdown, liquidation, and revocation of commercial registration. Convicted parties may also be banned from future commercial activity and must settle all due zakat, taxes, and fees arising from the concealed activity. Non-Saudi offenders face deportation after serving their sentence, with a permanent ban on returning to work in the Kingdom.

For certain violations, administrative penalties include fines of up to SAR 500,000 and a possible business shutdown of up to 90 days.

The program also protects whistleblowers by keeping their identity and data out of case files, and offers individuals who report concealment a reward of up to 30% of the collected fine after a final judgment. The measures aim to protect the local economy, ensure fair competition, and safeguard consumer rights across the community.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving