4/2/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division –
the following statement:
As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to curb theft operations across various Lebanese regions, information was obtained by the Information Branch regarding an unidentified individual carrying out thefts through fraudulent means by impersonating a security officer. The suspect would check the identities of passersby, steal their wallets, and then flee on a motorcycle to an unknown destination.
A video circulated on social media documenting the commission of these acts.
Immediately, orders were given to the competent units within the Information Branch to carry out field and intelligence measures in order to identify the perpetrator and arrest him.
Following investigations and inquiries, the Branch succeeded in identifying the suspect as:
– S. H. (born in 1973, Lebanese), a repeat offender with prior records for theft and robbery by impersonating a security officer. He had previously been arrested several times for similar crimes and was released on 16/12/2025.
On 20/01/2026, after careful surveillance and monitoring, one of the Branch’s patrols arrested him in the Doha Aramoun area while he was riding a motorcycle without license plates, which was subsequently seized.
During interrogation, he confessed to the charges against him, admitting to committing numerous thefts through fraudulent means after impersonating a security officer, using the motorcycle on which he was arrested, in several areas of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, including Gemmayzeh, Downtown Beirut, Sodeco, Galerie Semaan, Sin El Fil, and Achrafieh, where he would check the identities of passersby and steal their money.
The motorcycle was judicially impounded, the necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was referred to the competent authority upon the instruction of the competent judiciary.
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
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following: The Street Food Festival will be held in the town of Aaqoura, Jbeil District, from 8:00 p.m. on July 24, 2026, until July 26, 2026. As a result, part of the main road will be closed to traffic, while all entrances to and exits from the town will remain fully accessible. Citizens are therefore requested to take note of these measures and comply with the instructions of the Internal Security Forces personnel assigned to carry out this mission, as well as with the directional traffic signs, in order to prevent congestion.
24/7/2026
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 combat fraud and apprehend its perpetrators, the Beirut Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit arrested one of the most dangerous fraudsters, who had defrauded a number of monks and nuns. On June 18, 2026, the Beirut Judicial Detachment received a complaint filed by a religious association against an unknown person for defrauding one of the nuns affiliated with the association. Investigations revealed that the suspect had deceived the nun by claiming that he intended to donate a large sum of money to her and that he had deposited an amount in a bank account opened in her name in the United States of America. Through his fraudulent manoeuvres, he convinced her to hand over her passport and induced her to transfer large sums of money in several instalments, allegedly to cover fees, taxes, and money-transfer expenses. To lend credibility to his claims, he sent her forged bank cheques and assumed several fictitious identities and names, including “Asha,” the alleged donor; “Sivak,” presented as the donor’s friend and the purported manager of the bank in the United States; “Jennifer,” Sivak’s daughter; as well as “François,” “Georges Chamas,” “Anthony,” and “Elie Al-Asmar,” whom he claimed were financial managers at the said bank. He contacted her using various Lebanese and foreign telephone numbers. The nun transferred sums of money to the suspect in several instalments. The Beirut Judicial Detachment subsequently launched field and intelligence operations. Following extensive inquiries and investigations, it identified the perpetrator as: S. G. (born in 1979, Lebanese), who has a criminal record involving fraud offences, particularly those targeting members of the clergy. After surveillance and follow-up operations, a patrol from the detachment arrested him in the Badaro area. During questioning, he confessed to the accusations against him and admitted that he had carried out the fraudulent operations alone, using multiple telephone numbers and fictitious names. He also admitted that he had thrown the complainant’s passport into a rubbish bin. It was further established that he had used the same method to defraud a number of other monks and nuns. He was referred to the competent authority for the necessary legal action. Accordingly, and based on the instructions of the competent judiciary, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces requests that anyone who has fallen victim to similar fraudulent acts report to the Beirut Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit, located at the Barbar El-Khazen Barracks in Verdun, or call 01-810171, so that the necessary legal measures may be taken.
23/7/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: During the summer season, vacationers, including citizens and tourists, visit various tourist destinations to enjoy a range of summer activities, including, but not limited to, riding personal watercraft, commonly known as jet skis. The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces has observed that, in many cases, these watercraft are operated in a random and unregulated manner and launched from locations that are either not designated for this purpose or not supervised by qualified personnel. Such practices may result in accidents and expose jet-ski users and beachgoers to serious risks. Accordingly, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces is circulating the following safety requirements and awareness guidelines to private swimming-pool owners and jet-ski enthusiasts: Jet skis may only be launched or operated from designated marine corridors specifically allocated for this purpose and clearly marked with the necessary buoys and maritime signs. Jet skis are strictly prohibited from launching from beaches designated for swimming or from any unauthorized or unsupervised location. All resorts, marine clubs, and jet-ski rental stations must establish safe, clearly designated launch and docking points in advance. Jet skis are prohibited from operating within swimming areas or near the shoreline and must maintain a minimum safety distance of 200 metres from the shore. Mandatory speed restrictions shall apply within marine corridors and during entry and exit. Dangerous manoeuvres or demonstrations near the shore are strictly prohibited. Jet-ski users must wear mandatory life jackets and comply with all maritime safety requirements. Jet skis may not be operated by minors or unqualified individuals. They may not be rented out without first verifying the user’s eligibility and providing the necessary safety instructions. Rental stations and centres must comply with the following requirements: A qualified safety supervisor must be present. Initial transportation means must be provided. All jet-ski departures and returns must be recorded. Operating hours must be set in a manner that does not endanger public safety. Full compliance must be maintained with the conditions established by the General Directorate of Land and Maritime Transport and all other competent authorities. In the interest of public safety, the General Directorate calls upon both those responsible for this activity and jet-ski enthusiasts to act responsibly and fully comply with the above-mentioned requirements and guidelines, in order to protect their own safety and that of others.
23/7/2026