15/5/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division:
As part of the daily efforts carried out by the Internal Security Forces to combat crimes, especially cybercrime and online fraud, the Cybercrime and Intellectual Property Bureau of the Judicial Police Unit received a complaint from a Syrian national who had fallen victim to fraud after being deceived with promises of securing a travel visa to a European country through advertisements posted on several social media platforms.
After contacting him and agreeing that payment would be made upon his arrival in the intended country, he was later asked, under the pretext of verifying that he possessed USD 7,000 to initiate the procedures, to transfer the amount through an electronic application to one of his relatives and then send a copy of the receipt as proof of ownership of the funds. Once he complied and sent the receipt, the gang swiftly forged a Syrian identity card in the recipient’s name bearing the photo of one of the operators and seized the money transfer.
Through technical and investigative follow-up, the bureau determined that the mastermind of the gang, who lures victims—most of them Syrian nationals—operates from Syrian territory and coordinates with an individual in Brital who forges Lebanese and Syrian identity cards and dispatches people to collect money transfers using those forged documents in exchange for financial compensation.
Following investigations and surveillance operations, a patrol from the bureau caught the latter in the act while attempting to collect a money transfer using a forged identity card, after setting up a tight ambush in the town of Ferzol. The operation involved gunfire and resistance against the patrol officers. He was identified as:
A. F. (born in 1998, Lebanese)
During interrogation, he confessed to the charges against him and admitted carrying out numerous similar operations.
The suspect was referred to the competent judicial authority, while search and investigation notices were circulated against the remaining individuals involved. Efforts are ongoing to arrest them, upon the instruction of the competent judiciary.
Warning:
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces urges citizens and residents alike to remain cautious of various fraud schemes. In this context, it advises against sending copies of payment receipts, official documents (financial or otherwise), or photographs thereof to any suspicious or untrusted party in order to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to curb motorcycle thefts and armed robberies throughout Lebanon, the Information Branch received information indicating that two individuals riding small, unregistered motorcycles had carried out armed robberies and stolen motorcycles in several areas, including Choueifat, Hazmieh, Furn El-Chebbak, Dekwaneh, and Dbayeh. Following investigations conducted by the Branch’s specialized units, it was established that the two suspects spent most of their time in Beirut’s southern suburbs and carried out their crimes using a black Sweet motorcycle without a registration plate. They were identified as: M. H. M. (born in 2008, Lebanese) M. H. (born in 1993, Lebanese) On July 18, 2026, following a targeted operation and after locating the suspects, a force from the Information Branch arrested them in Hadath while they were riding the aforementioned motorcycle. A search of the suspects and the motorcycle uncovered tools and a master motorcycle key used in the thefts. During questioning, they confessed to carrying out more than 20 motorcycle thefts, armed robberies, and snatch thefts in the Mount Lebanon Governorate, particularly in Khaldeh, Choueifat, Furn El-Chebbak, Chiyah, Sin El-Fil, Dbayeh, Dora, and Hazmieh. They explained that they would ride stolen motorcycles and, after selecting a motorcycle to steal, would break its steering lock and push it away, start it by tampering with the wires or using a master key, or seize it at gunpoint by brandishing a military-grade handgun at the victim. They also admitted that they had carried out these crimes in collaboration with: M. R. (born in 2009, Lebanese), who was also being held at the Furn El-Chebbak Police Station on a robbery charge. During questioning, he confessed to the allegations against him. The necessary legal measures were taken against the three suspects, and they were referred, together with the seized items, to the competent authority, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary. At the request of the competent judicial authorities, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces is circulating photographs of the three detainees and asks anyone who has fallen victim to their actions to report to the Mount Lebanon Information Branch or call 01-513732, so that the necessary legal measures may be taken.
27/7/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division announces the following: First: From July 27 to July 31, 2026, between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., a contracting company will carry out asphalt-spraying works on both carriageways, from the Habib Pasha El-Saad intersection to the Museum intersection. The works will be implemented in several stages and will not require the complete closure of the road. Second: Asphalt-paving works will begin at the aforementioned location on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. These works will require the closure of the road and the diversion of traffic as follows: Traffic coming from the Museum intersection toward Damascus Road will be diverted toward Al-Yafi Avenue or redirected toward the Adlieh roundabout. Traffic coming from Sodeco toward the Museum will be diverted either: Right toward Ras El-Nabeh, Mohammad El-Hout Street, and behind the Military Court; or Left toward Habib Pasha El-Saad Street in the direction of the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces, then right toward Adlieh or left toward Adib Ishaq Street in Achrafieh. Citizens are kindly requested to take note and comply with the instructions of Internal Security Forces personnel and the directional signs placed at the site, in order to facilitate traffic flow and prevent congestion.
26/7/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division announces the following: A contracting company will carry out asphalt paving works along Damascus Road, from the Sodeco intersection to the intersection of Habib Pasha El-Saad Street, near the Sodeco Suites Hotel, in both directions, from the morning of July 26, 2026, until 5:30 p.m. Citizens are kindly requested to take note and comply with the instructions of Internal Security Forces personnel and the directional signs placed at the site, in order to facilitate traffic flow.
26/7/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ daily efforts to track down and arrest suspicious individuals throughout Lebanon, the Information Branch received intelligence indicating that a person was trafficking military-grade weapons in northern Lebanon. Following extensive inquiries and investigations, the Branch identified the suspect as: G. Sh. (born in 1980, Lebanese) On July 12, 2026, after careful surveillance and monitoring, a patrol from the Branch set up an ambush in the Al-Tall area and caught him in the act while he was selling hand grenades. A search of his belongings uncovered a cardboard box containing 13 hand grenades, seven functional detonators, 70 narcotic pills, and a quantity of cocaine. During questioning, he confessed to trafficking military-grade weapons and stated that he obtained them from an individual in the Al-Masoudiyeh area. He also admitted that he had intended to sell the seized hand grenades in order to settle his outstanding debts. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was referred, together with the seized items, to the competent authority, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.
25/7/2026