What Is the Penalty for Impersonating a Saudi Citizen?

Identity impersonation under Saudi law means representing or imitating another person’s identity without right or authorization, whether by using their personal information, name, or any other private details, for the purpose of deception or obtaining an unlawful benefit.

This makes identity impersonation a serious offense that Saudi law addresses and seeks to punish. Several legal provisions regulate this type of offense in order to deter anyone from committing such conduct, which can negatively affect both individuals and society.

In this article, we will explain the penalty for impersonating a Saudi citizen, the laws that regulate this penalty, and the elements of the offense that must be present for an act to be considered identity impersonation.

Penalty for Impersonating a Saudi Citizen

The penalty for impersonating a Saudi citizen varies depending on the offense committed through the impersonation. If a person assumes a false identity through information technology means in order to obtain documents or money, the penalty is governed by the Anti-Cyber Crime Law.

Article (4) of this law provides as follows:

“Any person who unlawfully obtains, for themselves or for another, movable property, a document, or the signature of such document through fraud, the use of a false name, or the assumption of an incorrect identity shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years and a fine not exceeding two million riyals, or by either of these penalties.”

This article shows that the Saudi legislator links identity impersonation with fraud and treats it as a serious offense requiring deterrent penalties against the offender.

The offender may therefore be punished by imprisonment for up to 3 years, a fine of up to SAR 2 million, or either penalty if they assume a false identity or use a false name to obtain money for themselves or another person.

The penalty for impersonating another person while voting is also addressed by Article (51) of the Municipal Councils Law as follows:

“Without prejudice to any more severe penalty prescribed by another law, anyone who commits any of the following acts shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, a fine not exceeding fifty thousand riyals, or both penalties:

1- Using force or threats to obstruct election procedures, prevent any election worker from carrying out their duties, or influence freedom of election.

2- Deliberately destroying or concealing any election document or ballot box.

3- Buying or selling votes, or offering gifts, money, benefits, or facilities to voters in order to gain their support.

4- Deliberately damaging election facilities or their technical and operational equipment.

5- Receiving any funding from foreign entities.

6- Impersonating another person while voting.

7- Deliberately damaging the premises or campaign materials of another candidate.

8- Failing to disclose the sources of campaign funding and how such funds were spent.

9- Falsifying election results or contributing to such falsification.”

This article shows that Saudi law also addresses impersonation in voting, which may be punished by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to SAR 50,000, or both penalties.

As for anyone who impersonates a lawyer, the penalty is governed by Article (37) of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice, which provides:

“A person shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, a fine of not less than thirty thousand riyals, or both penalties if:

a- The person assumes the title of lawyer or practices law in violation of the provisions of this Law.

b- A lawyer practices the profession after their name has been removed from the register of lawyers.

These penalties shall be imposed by the competent judicial authority.”

This article demonstrates the seriousness of impersonating a Saudi lawyer or practicing law in violation of the Law of Legal Practice. The person may be punished by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of at least SAR 30,000, or both penalties.

For anyone who assumes a professional title normally used by healthcare practitioners, Article (28) of the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions provides:

“Without prejudice to any more severe penalty prescribed by other laws, anyone who commits any of the following shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand riyals, or either of these penalties:

1- Practicing a healthcare profession without a license.

2- Providing false information or using unlawful methods that result in being granted a license to practice a healthcare profession.

3- Using any advertising method that may lead the public to believe, contrary to the truth, that the person is entitled to practice a healthcare profession.

4- Assuming for themselves a title normally used by practitioners of healthcare professions.

5- Possessing instruments or equipment normally used in healthcare professions without being licensed to practice such professions and without having a legitimate reason for possessing them.

6- Refusing to treat a patient without an acceptable reason.

7- Violating the provisions of the articles and paragraphs specified in this Law.

8- Trading in human organs or carrying out a human organ transplant while knowing that the organ was obtained through trafficking.”

As for anyone who impersonates a public authority officer, Article (2) of the Law on Penalties for Impersonating Public Authority Officers provides:

“Anyone who impersonates a public authority officer shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years, a fine not exceeding fifty thousand riyals, or both penalties. If the offense is accompanied by terrorism or exploitation, or if the person impersonated is an officer of investigations, intelligence, the military, or a person of similar status, the offender shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years, a fine not exceeding one hundred and fifty thousand riyals (SAR 150,000), or both penalties.”

Accordingly, this type of impersonation may be punished by imprisonment for up to 3 years, a fine of up to SAR 50,000, or both penalties.

If the impersonation is accompanied by exploitation or terrorism, or if the impersonated person is an intelligence officer, investigator, member of the military, or a person of similar status, the offender may be punished by imprisonment for up to 10 years, a fine of up to SAR 150,000, or both penalties.

Read more about: Penalty for Identity Impersonation

Elements of the Crime of Identity Impersonation Under Saudi Law

The elements of the crime of identity impersonation are as follows:

• The Material Element

The material element consists of the following:

• The act: The act consists of the physical conduct carried out by the offender to assume another person’s identity or a status that does not belong to them.
• The criminal result: The criminal result occurs when the intended objective is achieved and others are convinced of the false identity or status assumed by the offender.
• Causal link: This is established when the criminal result occurs as a consequence of the offender’s actions rather than for other reasons.

• The Mental Element

The mental element consists of the following:

• Criminal intent: This intent is present when the offender knows that the acts they are committing constitute an offense punishable by law.
• Criminal purpose: Criminal purpose is established when the offender deliberately carries out the criminal acts and persists in bringing about the criminal result.

Learn more about: Elements of the Crime of Identity Impersonation

Best Law Firm for Identity Impersonation Cases

If you are looking for a law firm specializing in identity impersonation cases in Saudi Arabia, Nawaf bin Awad Al-Harbi Law Firm is one of the leading law firms in the Kingdom, with extensive experience in identity impersonation cases.

The firm also includes a team of experienced lawyers specializing in this type of case, helping ensure that your case is handled by professionals with a strong understanding of Saudi laws and regulations.

Contact — the Best Criminal Lawyer — now to begin the procedures for reporting the impersonation of a Saudi citizen, prepare the case file, establish the legal elements of the offense, protect your rights, and hold the offender accountable under Saudi law.

Conclusion

The Saudi legislator has established a penalty for impersonating a Saudi citizen in order to deter anyone from assuming another person’s identity in any form, whether by impersonating their name, identity, status, job, or otherwise. Such conduct can have negative effects on both individuals and society as a whole. Therefore, Saudi law includes legal provisions prescribing penalties for anyone who commits such acts in order to punish and deter them.

Also read about: How to File a Fraud and Scam Case

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Penalty for Impersonating a Lawyer in Saudi Arabia?

A person who impersonates a lawyer, or a lawyer who continues practicing after their name has been removed from the register of lawyers, may be punished by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of SAR 30,000, or both penalties.

What Is the Penalty for Impersonating a Government Employee in Saudi Arabia?

The source text states that the penalty may include imprisonment for up to 3 years, a fine of up to SAR 2 million, or both penalties.

What Is the Penalty for Impersonating a Doctor Under Saudi Law?

The source text states that impersonating a doctor or nurse may be punished by imprisonment for up to 7 years, a fine determined by the judge, or both penalties.