13/5/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division
issued the following statement:
On 20-04-2026, a complaint was referred to the Beirut Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit against a person claiming to be named “Mohammad Makhlouf” and other unidentified individuals for forming a fraud and scam network.
During questioning, the complainant stated that he manages a project consisting of residential apartments, offices, and halls designated for rent, and that he had published advertisements about the project on several social media platforms. He added that on 16-04-2026, he received a call via WhatsApp from a foreign number. The caller introduced himself as “Mohammad Makhlouf,” claiming to be related to the former Syrian president and stating that he was in the process of establishing a company in Lebanon. He said that an advertisement published on the “X” platform had caught his attention and expressed interest in investing in offices, showing readiness to pay rent for a period of nine years, in addition to his intention to purchase a property.
The complainant offered him a property adjacent to his project valued at USD 35 million. The suspect proposed handing over the money in Dubai or transferring it to Britain, before they eventually agreed that he would come to Lebanon to complete the payment process.
On 18-04-2026, after gaining the complainant’s trust, the suspect asked him to receive two Rolex watches and four mobile phones, claiming they were gifts for businessmen he would meet in Lebanon and confirming that he had already paid for them. The complainant received these counterfeit items in two batches in the Verdun area and paid cash amounts and money transfers totaling USD 7,500, based on requests from several individuals who contacted him via WhatsApp using the names of different companies. It was also found that the delivery worker had deceived him into paying additional amounts as fees before fleeing to an unknown destination.
On 19-04-2026, the caller informed him that he had arrived in Lebanon and, due to the ongoing war, had been forced to stay in Harissa. He asked the complainant to send 17 mobile recharge cards to continue his online stock market activities, with the promise that they would meet on 20-04-2026 during lunch at a restaurant in Downtown Beirut, which he claimed to have booked in advance. However, he did not appear at the agreed time and disappeared, revealing that the complainant had fallen victim to a sophisticated fraud operation carried out by an organized gang.
As a result of the investigations conducted by the above-mentioned detachment, the identities of the gang members were uncovered as follows:
T.B. (born in 1981, Lebanese)
K.K. (born in 2000, Lebanese)
A.H. (born in 1983, Lebanese)
A.M. (born in 2000, Lebanese female)
A.A.R. (born in 1984, Palestinian-Syrian)
During interrogation, A.H. denied involvement in the fraud operation and stated that, at the request of T.B., he had deposited USD 3,100 with one of his relatives. Meanwhile, A.M. confessed that she had worked with T.B. in fraud operations.
A.A.R. also admitted that he had received USD 3,400 at the request of A.K.
The necessary legal measures were taken against them, and search and investigation notices were circulated against several individuals involved, while efforts continue to arrest the remaining gang members.
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to combat crime throughout Lebanese territory, on 16-9-2026, an investigation report from the Raoucheh Police Station was referred to the Beirut Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit. The report concerned a complaint filed by a citizen against an unknown person for stealing furniture, carpets, batteries belonging to a solar energy system, and a wristwatch from his residence in the Raoucheh area. The value of the stolen items was estimated at USD 400,000. The aforementioned Detachment immediately launched the necessary investigations and inquiries. It managed to identify the shop in the capital where several of the carpets had been sold. The shop is owned by: M. K. (born in 1970, Lebanese national). The Detachment subsequently identified the seller of the carpets as M. Gh. (born in 1990, Lebanese national), who worked as a security guard outside the building where the complainant resides. During questioning, the latter stated that he had sold the carpets at the request of: M. H. (born in 1995, Lebanese national), who had previously worked as a driver for the complainant before leaving his job and going into hiding. Following surveillance and monitoring, the aforementioned Detachment arrested M. H. on 18-10-2026 in the Barbir area, where he was hiding inside a house. A magnetic access card for the entrance door of the building where the complainant resides was seized in his possession. During questioning, the suspect confessed to stealing from several residences belonging to the complainant and stated that he had sold the stolen items to several shops in Beirut for USD 15,000. Several individuals who had traded the stolen items among themselves were questioned. The majority of the stolen property, including carpets, lithium batteries, antiques, and an electric generator, was recovered. The seized stolen items were returned to the complainant. The three individuals mentioned above were arrested and referred to the competent judicial authorities pursuant to their instructions.
17/10/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: First: Maameltein (Half Marathon) On 18-10-2026, between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., the Lebanese Athletics Federation will organize the “2026 Lebanese Half Marathon Championship.” The race will start at the Fouad Chehab Sports Complex in Jounieh, proceed toward Maameltein – Oscar Palace intersection, then head back toward Dbayeh along the coastal road, before the Martyr Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan Barracks. Participants will then follow the same route back to the starting point. Accordingly, traffic heading toward Beirut will be diverted from the coastal Ghazir intersection toward the highway. Traffic heading toward Maameltein will be diverted from the KFC roundabout toward the eastern carriageway of the highway. The road inside Jounieh Souk, up to ATCL, will be completely closed until the event is over. Second: Omar Daouk Street (Filming) On 18-10-2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., TEST TEST Production Company will conduct filming on Omar Daouk Street, opposite Beirut Towers. Accordingly, traffic on the aforementioned street will be cut off and diverted toward STARCO until filming is completed. Third: Ain el-Mreisseh (Sporting Event) Starting at 6:00 a.m. on 18-10-2026, under the supervision of the Lebanese Triathlon Federation, RISE AND RISE TEAM Club Association will organize a SPRINT TRIATHLON along the coastal road extending from the Corniche adjacent to the American University of Beirut toward Ain el-Mreisseh, reaching McDonald’s restaurant, and returning to the starting point. Accordingly, the road between the Officers’ Club traffic light and Abdel Nasser Mosque in Ain el-Mreisseh will be closed in both directions until the event is over. Fourth: Charles Helou Avenue (Car Race) On 18-10-2026, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., the “Fifth Speed Race” will take place along the route extending from George Haddad Street to the Emigrant Statue on Charles Helou Avenue – the coastal road, in both directions. Traffic will be diverted until the event is over, as follows: Traffic will be cut off at the Emigrant Statue and diverted toward the Kataeb Party headquarters. Traffic will be cut off at George Haddad Street, and vehicles will be prohibited from entering the tunnel and diverted toward the Kataeb Party headquarters. Traffic coming from Customs Street and the port entrances will be cut off. Citizens are kindly requested to take note of these measures and comply with the instructions of Internal Security Forces personnel and the posted traffic signs in order to facilitate traffic flow and prevent congestion.
17/10/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: On 18-10-2026, starting at 8:00 a.m., a sporting and environmental event entitled “A Seedling of Hope in Our Streets” will be held at the invitation of the Choueifat Cycling Club. Accordingly, the following intersections will be closed until the participating cyclists have passed through: Deir Qoubel intersection – Spinneys Mall roundabout – Khaldeh Triangle – Khaldeh coastal road – Rishani Station intersection – Tiro intersection – Harajli intersection – Zain El Abidine intersection – Kfarchima intersection – Khatib and Shabaan intersection. Citizens are kindly requested to take note of these measures and comply with the instructions of Internal Security Forces personnel and the traffic signs in place, in order to facilitate traffic flow.
17/10/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: As a result of intensive inquiries and investigations conducted by the personnel of the Baabda Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit, and following surveillance and monitoring, they arrested the individual identified as: M. Z. (born in 1993, Lebanese national), on charges of fraud and swindling. The detainee claimed to work as an “official government transactions agent” at the Baabda and Beirut Palaces of Justice, under the name “Mr. Mohammad Baalbaki.” He allegedly deceived individuals by claiming that he could pay traffic fines, lift vehicle impoundments, submit requests for the release of detainees, pay bail on their behalf, and handle various other judicial transactions. After receiving money from his victims through transfers sent to him in several instalments via money transfer companies, he would stop answering their calls and disappear. Accordingly, the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces is circulating the detainee’s photograph, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority. Anyone who has fallen victim to his activities and recognizes him is requested to visit the Baabda Judicial Detachment at the Baabda Serail or call either of the following numbers: 05-921115 / 05-922173, in preparation for taking the necessary legal measures.
16/10/2026