Residents are being warned not to fall victim to suspicious maintenance advertisements after four Northern Municipal Council members called for an immediate crackdown on what they describe as a growing network of bogus businesses using fake contact numbers.
The campaign is being spearheaded by western Hamad Town councillor Abdulla Al Qobaisi, who said the random placement of flyers and posters on house doors, car windscreens and electricity substations had become a widespread eyesore while posing potential security and fraud risks.
Mr Al Qobaisi
Mr Al Qobaisi urged the Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs Ministry to work closely with the Industry and Commerce Ministry to launch sustained inspection campaigns to identify those behind the promotions and take legal action.
“We’re witnessing workers distributing and sticking advertisements for air-conditioning and general maintenance services in a completely random manner across residential neighbourhoods,” he said. “These flyers are plastered around outside properties, vehicles and public facilities, damaging the appearance of our communities and creating unnecessary litter.”
In advertising, a flyer is a single-page, unbound sheet of paper or a digital graphic used to promote an event, product, service, or idea. They are designed to grab attention quickly and contain short, compelling messages, vibrant visuals, and a clear call-to-action.
Mr Al Qobaisi said follow-up investigations had revealed that many of the advertisements carried fake telephone numbers and referred to businesses that did not exist and held no valid commercial registrations.
“This is no longer simply an issue of visual pollution,” he added. “It has developed into organised commercial deception that could expose residents to fraud and threaten the safety of their homes and property.”
He called for regular joint inspection campaigns involving municipal and commercial authorities to identify those distributing the advertisements, trace the contact numbers, disconnect them where appropriate and prosecute those responsible.
Mr Al Qobaisi also urged the authorities to remove the stickers immediately from public and private property and restore the appearance of residential areas, while advising residents not to contact or deal with unknown numbers advertised in this manner.
Information and public relations committee chairman and southern Hamad Town councillor Abdulla Ibrahim Al Thawadi said the practice reflected a blatant disregard for public property and municipal regulations.
Mr Abdulla Ibrahim Al Thawadi
“Residential neighbourhoods should not become free advertising boards for unknown operators,” he said. “Those who genuinely provide services have legal channels to promote their businesses, while fake advertisements only undermine public confidence and expose consumers to unnecessary risks.”
Eastern Hamad Town councillor Abdulla Shareeda Al Thawadi said stronger enforcement was needed to prevent repeat offenders from exploiting residential areas.
Mr Abdulla Shareeda Al Thawadi
“The authorities must move beyond simply removing these advertisements and ensure those responsible are identified and penalised,” he said. “Without firm enforcement, the problem will continue to spread from one neighbourhood to another.”
Financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Dr Salman Abdulla, who represents Salmabad, Jablat Habshi, Abu Quwah, Saraya and North Sehla said the issue required a co-ordinated response from all relevant authorities.
Dr Abdulla
“Consumer protection begins with ensuring that only legitimate businesses operate in the market,” he said. “When advertisements carry false information and businesses have no legal existence, they become a public safety concern as well as a commercial violation. We support stronger monitoring and swift legal measures to protect residents and preserve Bahrain’s urban image.”
The four councillors are expected to press for tighter monitoring and stronger enforcement measures through the Northern Municipal Council, arguing that immediate action is needed to safeguard consumers, preserve neighbourhoods and deter fraudulent operators.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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