When Salim Rashid purchased a jar of honey from a well-known marketplace in Muscat, he never imagined it would turn out to be nothing more than 'coloured sugar' as he put it. “I paid over RO 15, but within two days the taste and texture changed. A lab test confirmed it was entirely fake,” he said in frustration.
Salim’s experience is not the only one. It is one of hundreds of cases the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) handles every year in Oman. As part of its ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent practices in the market, the CPA — in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion — recently launched a public awareness campaign to highlight the most common methods of commercial fraud and encourage consumer vigilance.
Commercial fraud refers to any deceptive practice intended to mislead consumers about the nature, quality, quantity or origin of a product. It is more than a breach of trust — it is a direct threat to public health, economic stability and market integrity.
According to the CPA’s awareness campaign, commercial fraud comes in many forms, including falsifying product weight. Some merchants reduce the actual quantity in a package while displaying a higher weight on the label as reported by Fatma who discovered her 5kg rice bag contained only 4.3 kg. “It felt unusually light, so I weighed it — and found I’d been cheated,” she said.
There is also misrepresentation of product quality or composition that includes selling synthetic items as natural or substituting original components with inferior ones, use of counterfeit packaging or labels where fraudsters use containers that resemble those of reputable brands to mislead consumers into believing they are buying high-quality goods as well as selling expired or spoiled products with altered dates, a practice that poses severe health risks, especially when it comes to food and pharmaceuticals.
Another concern is the issue of forging country of origin. Some products are falsely labelled as imported from countries known for high standards, when in fact they originate from unknown or unverified sources.
Perhaps the most dangerous form of fraud is filling capsules with banned or unknown substances with unidentified or internationally banned substances which are sold as medicine — sometimes with fatal consequences.
According to CPA, commercial fraud is a criminal offence — not only economically but also medically. It conducts regular inspections and runs continuous awareness campaigns. "We strongly encourage consumers to report any suspicious products or practices through our official channels. A vigilant consumer is our strongest ally. The CPA provides two toll-free hotlines for reporting fraud in addition to its website and mobile app," CPA stated.
The CPA and relevant government entities routinely conduct field inspections across markets, warehouses, and factories. Suspected products are sent for laboratory testing, and legal action is taken against offenders. In the past year alone, hundreds of fraud cases were uncovered, involving counterfeit goods, expired items, and unsafe medications. Many of these cases resulted in court rulings and penalties.
CPA emphasises that consumer awareness is the most effective weapon against commercial fraud.
Citizens and residents are advised to always verify the source of products, read labels and expiration dates carefully, check for signs of tampering, retain receipts and report any suspected cases. “Your report can protect hundreds of others — never stay silent when you suspect fraud,” the CPA urges.
Under the campaign slogan “Shop Safely,” the CPA aims to foster a culture of informed consumerism and ethical trading. A market free of fraud requires more than inspections and laws — it depends on proactive consumers who demand transparency and hold sellers accountable.
Commercial fraud is not just a violation of regulations — it is a violation of trust and safety. The battle against this menace will only be won through collective action: firm legislation, rigorous inspections and, most importantly, an aware and engaged public.
BLURB
Commercial fraud refers to any deceptive practice intended to mislead consumers about the nature, quality, quantity or origin of a product. It is more than a breach of trust — it is a direct threat to public health, economic stability and market integrity
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