Latest news with #ConsumerProtectionDepartment
Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman court fines furniture business RO 1,000 for Consumer Law violations
Muscat – The Primary Court in Barka has fined a furniture sales and customization business RO1,000 for breaching Oman's Consumer Protection Law under Royal Decree No. (66/2014) and its executive regulations. The case began when a customer filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection Department in Barka after the business failed to deliver five customised bedframes on time. The customer had paid an advance of RO 450 towards a total contract value of RO 870, with an agreement that the products would be ready within three weeks. Despite repeated delays, the establishment did not meet the deadline, prompting the consumer to escalate the matter. After efforts to resolve the dispute amicably failed, the case was handed to the Public Prosecution, which referred it to the court. The court convicted the business representatives of two offences: failing to provide the agreed service properly and not issuing a clear invoice in Arabic as proof of the transaction. Each representative was fined RO 500 for the first offence and RO 400 for the second. The penalties were merged, with the higher fine enforced, and the defendants were ordered to bear legal costs. The Consumer Protection Authority reiterated the importance of compliance with consumer laws and regulations. It said it would take legal action against violators to protect consumer rights and maintain the integrity of commercial transactions.
Observer
14-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Awareness seminar highlights safe online shopping in Nizwa
NIZWA: The Consumer Protection Department in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate organised an awareness seminar under the title 'Safe Online Shopping', in cooperation with the Omani Women's Association in the Wilayat of Nizwa and the Ihsan Association — Al Dakhiliyah branch on Wednesday. The event was aimed to raise public awareness about consumer rights and safe purchasing practices amidst the rapid transformation of the digital economy. The seminar, which saw a wide community turnout, began with an opening speech by Ali bin Salim al Hadhrami, Director of the Consumer Protection Department in Al Dakhiliyah. He stated, 'Online shopping has become a part of our daily lives. With this widespread usage, challenges such as commercial fraud, delivery delays and non-compliance with product specifications have also increased. Therefore, awareness is no longer optional — it is essential to protect consumers from practices that harm their interests.' He added: 'This seminar coincides with the launch of the second edition of the 'Safe Shopping in the Digital Economy' campaign for 2025. We hope it will leave a positive impact on the community by enhancing consumer awareness.' The event featured visual presentations and working papers. One of the key presentations was a paper titled 'Electronic Contracting', delivered by legal researcher Nasrah bint Mohammed al Saeghiyah, in which she reviewed key consumer rights in digital transactions. She noted that 3,340 violations of the Consumer Protection Law were recorded in 2023 alone, according to figures presented during the 2024 Public Prosecution Conference. Another working paper was presented by Samiah bint Nasser al Riyamiyah, Quality and Goods Specialist; and Fatma bint Ali al Ramhiyah, Consumer Complaints Researcher, discussing procedures for submitting and processing electronic complaints. The seminar also addressed fundamental consumer rights in online transactions, such as the right to accurate information, freedom of choice, cultural respect, compensation in the case of damage, receiving invoices in Arabic, product quality guarantees and the legal right to return or exchange goods. Mustafa bin Mohammed al Suleimani, Head of the Market Regulation and Monitoring Section, explained that most complaints in the online shopping sector involve cloth and accessories. He emphasised the availability of various complaint channels, including the consumer protection hotline and the official website, noting that administrative penalties such as fines and license revocations are imposed on violators.
Muscat Daily
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Muscat Daily
Nakhal court slaps RO3,000 fine on car dealer for contract breach
Muscat – The Primary Court in Nakhal has fined a commercial establishment RO3,000 and terminated a vehicle purchase contract following a consumer complaint over a delayed and defective car delivery. In a complaint filed by a woman with the Consumer Protection Department in Barka, she stated that she purchased a 2022 model year used vehicle from a dealer for RO14,450 with delivery scheduled for January 25, 2025. However, the dealer not only failed to deliver the vehicle on time but supplied a different model with multiple defects despite the delay. Following the complaint, the matter was referred to the Public Prosecution and then to the court, which found three defendants guilty of two misdemeanours – failing to provide the agreed service and failing to disclose the vehicle's condition in the contract or invoice. Each defendant was fined RO500 for each offence, resulting in a total fine of RO3,000. The court also ordered the dealer to refund the full amount paid by the consumer (RO14,450), compensate the customer an additional RO500 and cover all legal expenses. Consumer Protection Authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumer rights and warned that it would continue to take strict legal action against violators. It also urged all commercial establishments to adhere to applicable laws and regulations to avoid similar legal action.
Observer
06-05-2025
- Observer
Be Aware: Fake travel agency uncovered in Oman
Muscat: The Primary Court in Al Buraimi recently issued a judicial verdict convicting the owner of a travel and tourism office after it was proven that he was involved in cases related to forgery, fraud, and operating an unlicensed establishment. This came as a result of the efforts made by the Consumer Protection Department in Al Buraimi Governorate in investigating a complaint filed by a female consumer. Case study The details of the case date are that a consumer contacted the office to book travel tickets and transferred the required amounts. However, shortly before the travel date, she received a call from the office owner informing her that the tickets had been cancelled. When she attempted to verify the booking with the airline, she discovered that the tickets were fake, prompting her to file a complaint with the department. The department took the necessary legal measures and referred the complaint to the Public Prosecution, which in turn transferred it to the competent court. The court sentenced the defendant to three months imprisonment for the misdemeanor of forging a private document, another three months imprisonment and a fine of RO300 for the misdemeanor of fraud, and fined him ROP400 for the misdemeanor of opening and operating a travel and tourism office without a license. He was also sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined RO300 for the misdemeanor of failing to provide the service in a proper manner consistent with its nature. The penalties were consolidated, and the harshest — the second misdemeanor — is to be enforced, in addition to ordering the closure of his shop, which was the instrument of the crime.
Muscat Daily
06-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Fake tickets scam Buraimi travel agent jailed
Buraimi – The Primary Court in Buraimi has sentenced the owner of a travel and tourism office to prison and issued fines after convicting him of multiple offences, including fraud, forgery, and operating without a licence. The case was triggered by a complaint filed by a female consumer who transferred money to the office for airline tickets. Shortly before the travel date, the office informed her of a cancellation. Upon contacting the airline directly, she discovered that the tickets were fake. Following an investigation by the Consumer Protection Department in Buraimi Governorate, the case was referred to the Public Prosecution and then to court. The court sentenced the defendant to: Three months' imprisonment for forging a private document, Another three months and a fine of OR 300 for fraud, A fine of OR 400 for operating without a licence, Two months' imprisonment and a fine of OR 300 for failing to deliver services properly. The sentences were consolidated, with the harshest penalty — for fraud — to be enforced. The court also ordered the closure of the office, used as the instrument of the crime. The CPA has praised the public's role in reporting violations.
