RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce has penalized 44 electronic stores (e-stores) that violated the e-commerce system, after the ministry had detected their violation of the provisions of the e-commerce system and its executive bylaws, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said Thursday. The penalties for violating stores reach a fine of up to SR1 million, blocking and closing the violating online stores’ websites, and preventing them from practicing their activity. During the past period, the ministry detected the violations by these stores that practice e-commerce, in line with its competence to monitor and track e-commerce activity with the aim of protecting and preserving consumers’ rights. Accordingly, the violations were immediately referred to the Committee for Reviewing Violations of the E-Commerce System, which issued fines for the stores after their violation was proven. During the past months, the ministry had blocked the websites of five violating electronic stores" immediately in coordination with the competent authorities as soon as their violations were detected, and referred them to the Violation Review Committee. The Ministry of Commerce warns all consumers against buying from anonymous websites and accounts on social media. It also calls for buying from electronic stores, accounts and pages that have a commercial registry or are registered with the “Maarouf” platform or are internationally-known sites, in order to ensure and preserve the rights of buyers. The Ministry of Commerce affirms its continuous follow-up to ensure implementation of the e-commerce system, and warns that it will not to be complacent in imposing the statutory penalties on/against any violating online store.