RIYADH: Expatriate workers who were caught altering the prices at gas stations will be deported and will not be permitted to reenter Saudi Arabia. The workers were caught after complaints were sent to the Ministry of Commerce — backed up by videos posted on social media showing them tampering with gas-pump meters — which launched an investigation into the matter. The ministry tweeted a joint statement from itself, the Ministry of Energy, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, stating that they had inspected a number of gas stations following reports of illegal practices from a number of consumers. The investigation revealed that certain workers had retrieved past meter readings and modified them to the highest pricing level. The last 10 readings from gas pumps can be retrieved for accounting purposes or in the event of any complaints or reports, the ministry explained. In order to protect the interests of customers, SASO’s National Metrology Program plans to codify this feature in coordination with gas-pump manufacturers, it added. The statement also confirmed that inspections of specific gas stations in the Eastern Province and Jeddah governorate are continuing in order to discover whether further violations have taken place. “Expatriate employees who are caught red-handed will be sent to the security authorities for deportation and will not be permitted to reenter the Kingdom,” the joint statement read. The three government agencies reiterated their commitment to protecting consumer rights and responding to complaints and reports submitted via the commercial violation service telephone number — 1900 — or the ministry’s website.