Smartphones sell for SR100 in Riyadh

RIYADH: Worshippers coming out of a mosque after Friday prayers were surprised to find a young man selling smartphones for SR100.
The vendor, outside the Malaz mosque, claimed that they were original phones from the manufacturers. He told his customers that they have all the features of the same model sold in reputable stores.
On checking the product, Arab News found that they were made in an unknown country and differ from the original phone in appearance, weight and functions. However, some worshippers bought the products because of the attractive price compared to those on the local market.
An eyewitness to the sale outside the mosque told Arab News that such phones do not last long and the quality of the battery is weak. He said that buyers will not be able to send SMSs through this device.
“Its radiation level is very high and it's not safety tested for human use,” he added.
One observer said he earlier bought such a counterfeit phone for SR200 but could not register the device with any mobile operator since its origin was not known.
An Asian, who bought the fake phone, said that he would not get such a phone for SR100. He said he would use it for as long as possible and then throw it away. “It has value for the money,” he stressed.
According to the Consumer Protection Association (CPA), commercial fraud cost the government and society a massive SR40 billion in 2010.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry also created awareness advertisements warning customers about counterfeit goods and other illegal practices with the aim of protecting consumer interests.