JEDDAH, Jun 22 (Arab News): Passport officials in Riyadh have arrested 40 illegal foreigners who were selling decoders that allowed viewers access to any satellite channel, including pornographic ones.

A police spokesman said most of those caught were Arabs and Asians who were illegally staying in the Kingdom.

“Most of them were wanted for criminal offenses including carrying forged iqamas or escaping from their sponsors,” he added.

According to police, the violators were caught at various shops that sold and repaired satellite dishes in the districts of Al-Sulaimaniyah and Al-Mursalat.

The police said investigations and inspection of their papers revealed that most of them were carrying forged residence permits with false names on them.

The police asked all citizens and expatriates to report breaches of residence regulations by dialing 992.

Installing, repairing and decoding satellite dishes is a profitable trade for many illegal foreigners. They can make up to SR500 a day.

In most cities and towns there are specific places where satellite dishes are sold and repaired, which have also become havens for illegal foreigners.

In Jeddah, these shops are concentrated in Sahari market as well as the Al-Sawarikh and Prince Miteb auction markets.

The foreigners usually stand in front of the shop so they can escape easily if they spot police or members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.