If you have been the victim of a scam or fraud in Saudi Arabia, reporting it is not one step but three: stop the money, file the official report, then claim your private right. Delay the first and you often lose the chance of recovering the money; stop at the second and you may assume the case will return your money automatically. Here are the steps in the order they should happen, and what you need at each one.
Reviewed by: Raghad Mamdouh Al-KhamshiLegal Affairs Manager at USUS Law FirmLast updated:
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Step 1: Stop the money first
- Call your bank immediately on the official number printed on your card or in the bank's app, not a number someone sent you.
- Ask them to block the card or account and try to stop or recall the transfer, and get the bank's report number.
- If you gave anyone a verification code or password, change it at once and sign out of any device or app you used.
Every hour of delay gives the fraudster time to move the money to other accounts.
Step 2: Keep the evidence as it is
| What to keep | Why |
|---|---|
| The transfer receipt: number, date, amount, beneficiary account and bank | It links the money to the account that received it |
| The full conversations, with the sender's number or account name | They prove the fraudulent means: lies, deception or false pretences |
| Screenshots of the ad, store or page, with the link | Pages are deleted quickly |
| Names and numbers of the people you dealt with | They help identify the accused |
| Any acknowledgment or promise to return the money | Useful for the private claim |
Do not delete the conversation, and do not confront the fraudster with threatening messages that could be used against you.
Step 3: The official report
The report is filed with the security authorities, including the Kollona Amn app or a police station. Criminal investigation officers must accept and examine reports, record the information and notify the Public Prosecution immediately (Criminal Procedure Law, Article 27). The Public Prosecution investigates and prosecutes fraud offences (Anti-Financial Fraud and Breach of Trust Law, Article 10).
In the report, write what happened in order, when, how much, which account it went to, and what made you believe it. Attach the evidence and keep the report number.
Step 4: Claiming your money back
The criminal case punishes the fraudster, but recovering the money needs a private claim. The victim may claim return of the amount and compensation, then enforce against the convicted person's assets. The court confiscates the proceeds of the crime (Article 6), protecting the rights of third parties in good faith. If the case is closed, the law requires the victim to be notified (Criminal Procedure Law, Article 64), and the civil route or an objection is then considered.
Common mistakes after a fraud
- Paying "recovery fees" to someone claiming to be a lawyer or official body who can get the money back. That is a second fraud.
- Delaying the call to the bank while waiting for the fraudster to reply.
- Settling with the fraudster on a verbal promise without actually getting the money back, then withdrawing the report.
- Publicly naming someone as a fraudster before it is proven, which can backfire on you.
The penalty the fraudster faces
Imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to SAR 5 million, or either, doubled for organised gangs and repeat offenders. See financial fraud in Saudi Arabia.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report fraud in Saudi Arabia?
Call your bank immediately to stop the transaction if it was financial, keep the evidence, then file a report through the Kollona Amn app or the nearest police station and follow it up.
Will the report get my money back automatically?
No. The report starts the criminal case; recovering the money is through a private claim and enforcement against the convicted person's assets, or whatever is recovered from the beneficiary account if it was blocked early.
I made the transfer myself. Is it still fraud?
Yes, if the transfer was made because of lies, deception or false pretences. Article 1 punishes taking another's money by these means; handing it over under deception does not cancel the crime.
Do I need a lawyer to report fraud?
Not for the report itself, but the private claim, following the investigation and objecting to a closure benefit greatly from a lawyer who knows the procedure.
Usus Law Firm follows fraud reports and money-recovery claims in Riyadh and Tabuk, in English and Arabic. See our fraud lawyer in Riyadh. The articles cited are from the Anti-Financial Fraud and Breach of Trust Law (Royal Decree M/79, 1442H) and the Criminal Procedure Law (Royal Decree M/2, 22/1/1435H).
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 27 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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