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: On 29 July 2026, a woman filed a complaint with the Baakline Police Station of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit, reporting the theft of CHF 2,220 from her residence in the town of Wadi Bnahleh – Chouf. She also stated that approximately two months earlier she had discovered the disappearance of US$2,500, and suspected one of her father-in-law's workers: T. M. H. (born in 1991, Syrian national). Following investigations conducted by officers of the police station, the suspect was located later that same day in the same town and arrested in coordination with a patrol from the Information Branch. A search of the suspect and his residence led to the seizure of: LBP 520,000,000 US$11,082 CHF 1,000 During interrogation, the suspect confessed to stealing the CHF 2,220, explaining that he had exchanged part of the amount into US dollars. He further claimed that the remaining money seized at his residence had been earned through his work. The suspect and the seized funds were referred to the competent judicial authority through the Beiteddine Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit, in accordance with judicial instructions.
12/8/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: A video circulating on social media showed an individual firing a military handgun at a commercial shop in the Tariq El Jdideh – Sports City area, causing panic and fear among residents. The specialized units of the Internal Security Forces immediately launched intensive field and investigative operations to identify the perpetrator and locate him. On 12 August 2026, following extensive investigations and close monitoring, officers from the Beirut Investigation Unit of the Beirut Police Unit identified the suspect's whereabouts. A carefully planned ambush was set up in the Omar Beyhum area, leading to his arrest. He was identified as: T. H. (born in 2007, Palestinian national), who is also wanted under an arrest warrant for theft. A knife was found in his possession. During interrogation, he confessed to carrying out the shooting. The suspect and the seized item were handed over to the competent police station for the necessary legal proceedings, in accordance with the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
12/8/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: On 13 July 2026, the Baabda Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit was assigned an investigation file following a complaint filed by a citizen against an unknown person for the theft of US$15,000 from inside his home in one of the towns of the Baabda District. Following investigations and inquiries conducted by the Detachment, suspicion fell on an employee at the fuel station owned by the complainant, identified as: H. A. (born in 2001, Syrian national). After further questioning and being confronted with evidence indicating his involvement, the suspect confessed to stealing the money and admitted that he had spent it on purchasing in-game credits for an online gaming application. The suspect was referred to the competent judicial authority in accordance with its instructions.
12/8/2026
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 drug trafficking and arrest those involved throughout Lebanon, the Mount Lebanon Investigation Unit of the Regional Gendarmerie received information indicating that an individual was dealing narcotics while riding a motorcycle in the Hay El Sellom area. Accordingly, the unit intensified its field operations, surveillance, and investigative efforts to locate the suspect. On 4 August 2026, during a targeted operation carried out in Hay El Sellom, one of the unit's patrols arrested the suspect, identified as: A. M. S. (born in 2007, Syrian national), who was riding a motorcycle without registration plates. A search of the suspect led to the seizure of: Quantities of narcotics prepared for distribution, including cannabis resin (hashish) and other narcotic substances packaged in various bags. One counterfeit US$50 banknote. Cash in US dollars and Lebanese pounds. One mobile phone. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to drug dealing. He was referred, together with the seized items, to the competent police station for the necessary legal proceedings, in accordance with the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
12/8/2026
