23/4/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division
The following statement:
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces renews its warning to citizens regarding the increasing attempts of online fraud via the WhatsApp application. Recently, it has been observed that unknown individuals are exploiting WhatsApp accounts belonging to known persons (friends or relatives) after hacking them, and contacting their contacts by sending fake invitation links to join groups (WhatsApp groups), under the pretext that they include mutual friends.
It has also been found that these links lead to fraudulent pages that request the user to enter or share a verification code (OTP) received via SMS, enabling the fraudster to register the phone number on their device and gain full control over the victim’s WhatsApp account.
After taking control of the account, the fraudster uses it to contact the victim’s contacts in the same manner and may also request sums of money via applications or money transfer services available in Lebanon, impersonating the account owner under various pretexts.
First: The Directorate requests citizens to adhere to the following:
Do not click on any group invitation link from an untrusted source, even if it appears to come from a friend or relative, without verifying directly with them.
Do not share the verification code (OTP) with any person or entity under any circumstances.
Verify any financial request by contacting the account owner directly.
Activate the Two-Step Verification feature on WhatsApp.
Second: How to activate Two-Step Verification on WhatsApp:
Open the WhatsApp application
Go to “Settings”
Select “Account”
Tap on “Two-Step Verification”
Select “Enable”
Create a 6-digit PIN and keep it secure
It is recommended to add an email address (optional)
Press “Save / Done”
After enabling this feature, a fraudster will not be able to access the account even if they obtain the verification code, without also knowing the PIN.
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the continuous efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to combat various types of crimes across all Lebanese regions, particularly armed robbery operations, information became available to the Information Branch regarding an unidentified individual carrying out armed robberies in several areas of Beirut, during some of which he stabbed his victims. Accordingly, orders were given to the competent units to carry out the necessary field and intelligence measures to identify and arrest him. As a result of investigations and inquiries, the Branch was able to determine his identity as: H.H. (born in 2000, Lebanese), He has a prior criminal record involving robbery and is wanted under judicial warrants for crimes including robbery, drug-related offenses, stabbing, possession of weapons, involvement in disputes, and opening fire, including randomly discharging firearms on 17-04-2026, following the entry into force of the “ceasefire” during the recent war on Lebanon. On 21-04-2026, after a surveillance and monitoring operation, a patrol from the Branch managed to arrest him in the Bir Hassan area. During interrogation, he confessed to the charges against him. Legal proceedings were carried out against him, and he was referred to the competent authority based on the direction of the relevant judiciary.
6/5/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division, the following statement: One of the contracting companies will carry out the completion of rehabilitation and asphalt maintenance works, including road marking using “thermoplastic paint,” installation of “reflective studs,” and other works, on both lanes of Imam Khomeini Avenue and the Imad Mughniyeh Bridge, starting from tomorrow, Thursday 07-05-2026 until 10-05-2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. each working day. It is to be noted that traffic will not be completely blocked in the area. Therefore, the General Directorate requests citizens to take note and comply with the adopted measures, in order to facilitate traffic flow and prevent congestion.
6/5/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: On 28-04-2026, H.H. (born in 1982, Palestinian) reported that while he was in the Sahel Alma area, he had a leather bag containing approximately $110,000 USD and a gold ounce. He placed it on the roof of his car and left the area without noticing it. Upon returning to check, he did not find it where he had left it. Immediately, orders were given to the competent units of the Internal Security Forces to carry out the necessary field and investigative measures to uncover the circumstances of the incident. Follow-up inquiries revealed that the bag had fallen off the car in the Harat Sakhr area, and that an unknown individual riding a motorcycle found it and took it. As a result of investigations and inquiries, the Information Branch identified the perpetrator, who is a driver working for a delivery company, named: M.A. (born in 2005, Lebanese) On 30-04-2026, after careful surveillance and monitoring, a patrol from the branch managed to arrest him in the Deir Ammar area. A search of his residence in the same area led to the seizure of $108,000 USD and one gold ounce. During interrogation, he admitted that he found the bag lying on the road, opened it, and discovered a large sum of money in US dollars along with identification documents belonging to its owner. He then kept it and took it to his home. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and the money and the gold ounce were returned to the claimant, based on the instructions of the competent judiciary.
5/5/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: On 27-03-2026, a citizen filed a complaint with the Hadath police station of the Regional Gendarmerie against an unknown person for theft from inside his home. The stolen items included hunting rifles, gold jewelry, and various personal belongings. Following intensive follow-up and investigations carried out by the said station, suspicion fell on one of the complainant’s neighbors. He was summoned, on the same date, to the station. He is: J.F. (born in 1960, Lebanese) It was found that he has a prior criminal record. During interrogation, he confessed to committing the theft by sneaking into the complainant’s home and forcing the door open, stealing hunting rifles, gold jewelry, valuable watches, and other belongings. He also guided the officers to the location where the stolen items had been hidden. These were seized and returned to their owner. The suspect was handed over to the Baabda Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police for further investigation, based on the instructions of the competent judiciary.
5/5/2026