Don’t donate online: Saudis warned

Saudi Arabia’s authorities warned citizens against donating money through social networks and mobile phone messages, saying those who are behind such campaigns are not authorised, newspapers reported on Sunday.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said it had noticed that many parties are organising fund-raising campaigns through social networks and mobile phone texts, taking advantage of the Syrian war and other conflicts in the region.

“Those who are staging such campaigns are not authorized. They are asking people to send their donations to bank accounts and such activities violate the Kingdom’s anti-terror and anti-laundering laws,” the statement said.

“We urge all citizens and expatriates not to respond to such calls and to send aid through authorised channels in the Kingdom.”

The statement said those caught raising funds without permission would be arrested and have their bank accounts suspended.