An official source in the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority stated that the authority received a report from the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf) that includes disbursing money in an irregular manner from one of the commercial enterprises support programs in the fund by reusing payment orders that were spent previously and transferring theses sums to bank accounts which belong to commercial enterprises owned by a citizen. The authority immediately started its procedures through field investigations, and after reviewing those bank accounts it was proven that they were not entitled to the support, and that the total obtained sums amounted to (39,806,991) riyals. After diligent investigations it was found that a citizen had exploited a loophole in the E-system and hacked the official website of (Hadaf) and activated a new authorized user that enabled him to return to old payment orders and repay them after modifying the bank account numbers to the enterprises that he owns. The total transferred amount reached up to (39.806.991) riyals during the years (2018-2020). It was clear, through investigations, that there was a loophole in the system used by one of the government entities that was admitted by the accused, and through which money could be disbursed (investigation procedures require that that entity’s name not be disclosed).
The Authority affirms on the continuation to pursue anyone who exploits the public office to achieve personal gain or harm the public interest in any way possible, and that it is continuing to hold the negligent parties accountable and apply what the law rules against them with no tolerance.
The Authority also appreciates the efforts of government entities in fighting financial and administrative corruption and the development of policies and procedures that promote speedy achievements which shut any inlets for corruption, and it commends the cooperation of those entities and the media on their effort in promoting integrity, transparency and fighting corruption, and it would like as well to thank the citizens and residents in reporting through its available channels, including the toll free number (980) for any practices involving financial or administrative corruption that would undermine the efforts of the government to support and promote the path of comprehensive development in light of Vision 2030. It also extends its thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz - may Allah protect them - for the unlimited support to the Authority in order to exercise its jurisdiction and perform its tasks in fighting financial and administrative corruption in all its forms and manifestations.