Saudi Authorities Bust Illegal E-Commerce Training Operation in Riyadh
Saudi authorities busted an illegal e-commerce operation in Riyadh involving expat workers and an unauthorized training facility.
Saudi authorities have busted an unauthorized operation in Riyadh that was training expatriate workers who had absconded from their sponsors to establish and operate e-commerce stores for their own accounts.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce said it detected Asian workers in violation of residency and labor regulations who were setting up and managing online stores independently after receiving training at an unauthorized facility in Riyadh.
"التجارة" ترصد عمالة مخالفة تتدرب على تأسيس المتاجر الإلكترونية وإدارتها لحسابهم الخاص.
رصدت وزارة التجارة عمالة آسيوية مخالفة يقومون بتأسيس متاجر إلكترونية وإدارتها لحسابهم الخاص، بعد حصولهم على التدريب في مقر مخالف بمدينة الرياض، يُدار بواسطة مستثمر أجنبي ومقيمين اثنين… pic.twitter.com/kabpN3rMVn — وزارة التجارة | Ministry of Commerce (@MCgovSA) September 29, 2026
The facility was reportedly operated by a foreign investor and two residents who were also in violation of regulations.
Following the discovery, the Ministry of Commerce conducted a joint inspection campaign in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and Riyadh Police.
Authorities raided the facility in Riyadh’s Al-Batha district, where training was being provided on establishing and managing e-commerce stores without the required licenses.
According to the Ministry, the operation charged SAR 300 per participant and claimed that trainees would receive an internationally recognized certificate in e-commerce.
The authorities detained the workers found in violation and began the necessary legal procedures against them.
The two residents involved in the operation were referred to the competent authorities, while the foreign investor was referred to the Ministry of Investment to complete the regulatory procedures and apply the prescribed penalties.
The Ministry did not disclose the exact number or nationalities of those detained, identifying the workers only as Asian nationals.
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