Saudi Arabia's religious police have been accused of using pornographic photos in order to lure cybercriminals and then arresting them in sting operations. 

Saudi newspapers reported this week that Saudi Arabia's Committee for Protection of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, more commonly referred to as the kingdom's religious police, was sending obscene photos to lure suspected criminals and then nabbing them after setting up pretext meetings. 

The religious police have, however, denied the allegations, and have in turn, pressed a lawsuit against the two Saudi papers, Makkah and Marsad, for false reporting, Al Arabiya reported. 

The newspapers had reported that Saudi Arabia's Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution had come down on the religious police for their alleged use of porn in trapping criminals and had warned them to adhere to procedures as per law. 

Arrested persons had reportedly revealed that they were sent obscene photographs by strangers they had met online, and were asked to meet them. They were then arrested. 

Porn is banned in Saudi Arabia and viewing such material can invite severe punishment in the country. 

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