21/5/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces
– Public Relations Division:
Based on the instructions of the competent judiciary, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces circulates the photo of the detainee:
H. B. M. (born in 1979, Lebanese), who has prior records for fraud and forgery crimes.
He was arrested for fraud and deception through social media after using a Facebook page and a foreign phone number to deceive his victims, most of whom were Syrian nationals, by claiming he could secure entry visas to European countries in exchange for sums of money.
In order to gain their trust, he required the presence of a “guarantor” during meetings held inside his vehicle after agreeing on the amount to be paid. He would then, through a fraudulent sleight-of-hand technique, replace the money received from the victim with another bundle of similar size but of much lower value and consisting of low-denomination currency notes. He would then place the amount inside an envelope, seal and sign it, and hand it over to the victim and the guarantor under the pretext of keeping it until the issuance of the fictitious “visa,” in order to reassure them and convince them of the seriousness of the procedures, before disappearing.
Investigations revealed that the detainee had carried out multiple fraud operations, the latest of which involved stealing USD 21,000 from one of his victims.
Therefore, the General Directorate requests anyone who has fallen victim to his acts and recognizes him to contact the Information Branch at 1788 in preparation for the necessary legal procedures.
Warning:
The General Directorate warns against falling victim to similar fraud schemes and calls on individuals wishing to obtain travel visas abroad to deal exclusively with the concerned embassies. It also urges them to verify the authenticity of advertisements related to such matters on all social media platforms by consulting the official website of the relevant embassy before taking any action, in order to avoid becoming victims of fraud and scam networks.
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division: As part of the continuous efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces units to combat the scourge of drugs and arrest those involved, and based on information obtained by the Beirut Investigation Division of the Beirut Police Unit regarding the activities of a dangerous drug dealer operating in Beirut. Following surveillance and tracking operations, a force from the aforementioned division managed to set up a tight ambush in the Mar Mikhael area, resulting in the arrest of the suspect while he was driving a Hyundai Accent vehicle. He was identified as: Sh. Q. (born in 1982, Lebanese), wanted under a life sentence for drug-related crimes. A search of the suspect and the vehicle led to the seizure of quantities of narcotics intended for distribution, as follows: 10 plastic containers containing cocaine 7 plastic containers containing “cocaine paste” 7 narcotic pills of the type “Buprenorphine” (8 mg) Amounts of money resulting from drug trafficking operations The suspect, along with the seized items and the vehicle, was handed over to the competent authority for the necessary legal action based on the instructions of the competent judiciary.
21/5/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces units to combat crimes across various Lebanese regions, including fraud operations and the circulation of counterfeit currency, the Information Branch obtained information regarding an unidentified individual promoting counterfeit money in the town of Mishmish and several towns in the Joumeh area and neighboring regions in Akkar District. Accordingly, the competent units within the aforementioned Branch initiated field and intelligence procedures to identify and arrest the suspect. As a result of investigations and inquiries, his identity was identified as: M. Y. (born in 2002, Lebanese) On 15/05/2026, following precise surveillance and monitoring operations, one of the Branch’s patrols managed to arrest him in flagrante delicto while he was circulating counterfeit currency in the town of Mishmish. A search conducted on him led to the seizure of USD 900 in counterfeit one-hundred-dollar bills. The suspect, along with the seized counterfeit money, was handed over to the competent authority for the necessary legal action based on the instructions of the competent judiciary.
20/5/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division: Starting from 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, 21/05/2026, until completion on the same date, experts from the Explosives Bureau will carry out the destruction and controlled detonation of explosive objects and shells in the Wata El-Joz field – Keserwan. Multiple explosion sounds are expected to be heard in the area and its surroundings. Therefore, citizens are requested to take note and avoid approaching the area for their own safety.
20/5/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division: As part of the continuous efforts undertaken by the specialized units of the Internal Security Forces to combat crimes and arrest perpetrators throughout Lebanese territory, information was obtained on 16/05/2026 by the Bekaa Investigation Division of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit regarding two Syrian nationals planning to rent a vehicle using a forged identity card in preparation for fraudulently selling it and then leaving Lebanese territory. Immediately, the aforementioned division launched field operations to identify and arrest the suspects. As a result of close monitoring and surveillance, one of its patrols arrested them in the town of Chtaura. They are: H. K. (born in 2002, Syrian national) R. A. (born in 1995, Syrian national) The latter had rented a Hyundai vehicle from the town of Sultan Yacoub using an identity card belonging to another Syrian woman after disguising herself with a niqab, with the aim of stealing and selling the vehicle. It was later found that the detainee R. A. was active in prostitution activities. The vehicle was recovered and returned to its owners, while the two detainees were handed over to the competent unit in order to take the necessary legal measures against them, based on the instructions of the competent judiciary.
20/5/2026
