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.
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces warns the public about fraudulent SMS messages currently circulating that impersonate a money transfer company. The messages, written in English, falsely claim that the recipient has an outstanding traffic violation (such as speeding or illegal parking) and request payment through a link bearing the company's name. The General Directorate emphasizes that both the messages and the accompanying link are fraudulent and are intended to steal citizens' personal and banking information. Accordingly, the Directorate urges the public to: Do not click on the links contained in these messages. Do not enter any personal, financial, or bank card information. Do not forward or share these messages. Verify any request for payment or services directly with the relevant organization through its official communication channels only. The General Directorate also urges citizens to report any attempted online fraud or suspicious messages through the "Balligh" platform available on the Internal Security Forces' official website or to the competent judicial authorities, in order to assist in identifying those responsible and protecting the public from these fraudulent schemes.
15/7/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: On July 8, 2026, a suspect arrested on charges of robbery and impersonating a State Security officer was referred to the Jdeideh Judicial Detachment. He is identified as: A. M. (born in 2005, Syrian national). At the time of his arrest, officers seized a handheld radio and a shirt bearing the words "State Security" on both the front and back. During questioning by the Jdeideh Judicial Detachment, the suspect admitted that he had taken a sum of money from a Syrian national under the pretext that the victim did not possess a valid residence permit. The incident occurred in the Naqqach area, where he deceived the victim into believing that he was a State Security officer by wearing the above-mentioned shirt. He was riding an unregistered red V180 motorcycle. Accordingly, and upon the instructions of the competent judicial authority, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces is circulating his photograph and requests that anyone who has fallen victim to his actions and recognizes him contact the Jdeideh Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit at 01-901203 to facilitate the necessary legal proceedings.
15/7/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: On July 1, 2026, following ongoing investigations, the Information Branch arrested: K. H. (born in 1993, Syrian national). The suspect is accused of blackmailing several young women. He allegedly met them through a dating application, communicated with them via video calls, and persuaded them to send him personal photographs or obtained such images through other means. He then blackmailed them by threatening to publish the images unless they complied with his demands. Accordingly, and upon the instructions of the competent judicial authority, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces is circulating his photograph and requests that any women who have fallen victim to his actions and recognize him report to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Morality Protection Bureau, or contact 01-423780, in order to facilitate the necessary legal proceedings. The General Directorate also stresses the importance of exercising caution and awareness when using social media and online platforms. It advises the public not to share inappropriate photographs or personal information with anyone, especially material that could be exploited unlawfully, in order to protect their privacy and avoid becoming victims of blackmail or exploitation. The Directorate further reminds the public that cyber extortion is a criminal offense punishable by law. Anyone subjected to threats or blackmail is urged not to comply with the perpetrator's demands, but instead to report the incident immediately to the competent judicial authorities, through the "Balligh" service available on the ISF website (https://isf.gov.lb) or via the Internal Security Forces mobile application. The General Directorate emphasizes that early reporting helps protect victims, limits the spread of such crimes, and facilitates the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
15/7/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts of the Internal Security Forces to track down and arrest wanted persons and perpetrators of various crimes throughout Lebanon, the Baabda Judicial Detachment arrested: S. A. A. (born in 1975, Lebanese). The suspect is wanted under two arrest warrants for fraud, five apprehension warrants, two enforceable court judgments, and one wanted notice for forgery. Investigations revealed that, together with several accomplices, he forged property ownership deeds, identity cards, and powers of attorney. These forged documents were then used to execute notarized powers of attorney before public notaries, after which the properties were mortgaged to several individuals. Accordingly, and upon the instructions of the competent judicial authority, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces is circulating his photograph and requests that anyone who has fallen victim to his fraudulent activities and recognizes him contact the Baabda Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit at 05-922173 to provide any relevant information and facilitate the necessary legal proceedings.
14/7/2026
