Expat woman in Saudi Arabia uses sister’s identity for 19 years

She married brother-in-law after sister’s death and impersonated her

An expat woman, who assumed her sister’s identity in Saudi Arabia for 19 years, got away lightly due to the statute of limitations, which states that in cases of forgery and impersonation, the charges become time-barred in 10 years under Saudi law.

The woman had assumed the identity of her sister, who passed away after being naturalised by marriage. Her offence came to light after another woman reported her to police following a family dispute. The informer told police that a non-Saudi woman was living in the kingdom with a false identity, but provided no evidence.

The imposter was questioned, but her statements were contradictory. After more than an hour of interrogation, she broke down and admitted that her ID card belonged to her sister, who died more than 19 years ago. A Saudi man was married to her sister, who obtained Saudi citizenship. Later, she fell seriously ill and returned to her home country, where she died, the imposter told the police. She added that her brother-inlaw married her and she assumed her sister’s identity when she arriving to the kingdom. Her husband later died.

The imposter was acquitted of the charges, which became time-barred after the lapse of 10 years. The charges against the husband were also dismissed due to his death.