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.
Issued by the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to combat all types of crime across various Lebanese regions and arrest those responsible, on 22-09-2026, a patrol from the North Investigation Detachment of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit arrested three individuals in Al Mina and Abi Samra – Tripoli. They are: Y.S. (born in 1999, Palestinian national), wanted under an arrest warrant for drug trafficking. A.H. (born in 2002, Lebanese national). M.K. (born in 2007, Lebanese national). Upon searching them, a variety of narcotic substances were found in their possession. The detainees and the seized items were handed over to the relevant unit to take the necessary legal measures, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authorities.
27/9/2026
Issued by the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: As part of the daily efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to combat crime across various Lebanese regions, the Information Branch received information on 08-09-2026 regarding an incident in which a military-grade “Kalashnikov” rifle was fired at an Internal Security Forces patrol, resulting in two of its members being injured while the patrol was carrying out a raid operation in the Ouzai area. The shooter then fled to an unknown destination. Following the incident, the Branch’s relevant units launched field and intelligence operations to identify and arrest the shooter. As a result of inquiries and investigations, his identity was established. He was identified as: G.F. (born in 1994, Palestinian national). He has a criminal record involving robbery and theft, and two final court rulings had been issued against him for robbery, sentencing him to life imprisonment. On 10-09-2026, following a precise surveillance and monitoring operation, an Information Branch patrol managed to arrest him in the Ouzai area. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was handed over to the relevant authority pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authorities.
26/9/2026
Issued by the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: On 06-09-2026, citizen B.B. (born in 1961) filed a complaint against unidentified individuals for breaking into his house, located in the Smar Jbeil – Batroun area, and stealing a safe containing jewelry, gold bars, and sums of money, which he estimated at a total value of three million US dollars. Immediately afterwards, the relevant Internal Security Forces units began field and intelligence operations to uncover and arrest those involved. As a result of inquiries and investigations, the Information Branch succeeded in identifying them. They are: A.A.K. (born in 1992, Lebanese). M.H. (born in 1987, Lebanese). K.T. (born in 1986, Lebanese). On 08-09-2026 and 14-09-2026, following precise surveillance and monitoring operations, Information Branch patrols arrested the first and second suspects in the Kousha – Akkar area, and the third in the Akkar El Nabaa area. During questioning, they admitted to the charges against them, namely conspiring to plan the theft of the safe and carrying out the burglary. They stated that they had hidden the stolen items in several locations after removing and breaking open the safe. Part of the stolen property was recovered and handed over to the complainant, including USD 25,500 in cash, a quantity of jewelry and gold pieces, four wristwatches, three firearms, five hunting rifles, and some personal documents and papers. The necessary legal measures were taken against the detainees, and they were handed over to the relevant authority pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authorities.
25/9/2026
Issued by the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: The Bekaa Investigation Detachment of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit has launched the largest field campaign to crack down on illegal hunting nets, covering a number of areas, orchards, and plains across the Bekaa, as part of efforts to combat the extermination of birds, particularly through the use of nets set up as traps that surround birds, obstruct their migration routes, cause the death of large numbers of them, and lead to the extermination of entire flocks. This turns migration seasons into massacres against birds, threatening biodiversity, disrupting the ecological balance, depleting natural resources, and depriving Lebanon’s skies of its birds. Over three consecutive days, a force from the aforementioned Detachment carried out raids in the outskirts of the town of Arsal, as well as in the plains of the towns of Labweh, Ras Baalbek, Jdeidet Al-Fakha, Jabbouleh, Mashari' Al-Qaa, Masa, and Al-Nasriyeh, to seize illegally installed hunting nets. These operations resulted in the seizure of bird-catching nets with a total area of /20,640/ square meters. As a result of follow-up operations, inquiries, and investigations, members of the Detachment succeeded in identifying a number of individuals involved, and work is underway to take legal measures against them. The seized items were handed over to the relevant units, while the investigation remains ongoing pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authorities. The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces renews its call on citizens to actively contribute to combating illegal hunting and violations targeting migratory birds, and to report violators when they are observed by documenting the violations through photographs or video footage and sending them via the “Balligh” reporting service, so that they can be followed up and the necessary measures taken, or by contacting the Operations Room at /112/.
24/9/2026