It’s not just fake foreign goods appearing in the Saudi markets. According to Saudi Gazette, counterfeit banknotes are appearing as well. Luckily, the counterfeit bills seem to be of poor quality and can be detected by any reasonably cautious person.

Ministry calls alert for fake riyal bills
Joe Avancena and Faisal Aboobacker Ponnani

DAMMAM – Check your wallet – any SR200 (US $53) or SR500 (US $133.33) note you have in there may be fake, the Ministry of Interior warns.

Fake notes are in wide circulation, according to Col. Yusuf Al-Qahtani, spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior in the Eastern Province, where he said such notes have resurfaced.

“This year police teams have investigated over 200 reported cases of fake 200 and 500 Saudi riyal bills, and we believe that with the New Year coming, currency counterfeiting activities will rise, which is why the public is urged to be vigilant,” Qahtani said.
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