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 combat motorcycle theft across various regions of Lebanon, the Information Branch obtained intelligence indicating that two unidentified individuals were involved in stealing motorcycles in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. A video documenting one of the thefts committed by the suspects was also circulated on social media. Based on this information, the competent units within the Information Branch were instructed to carry out field operations and investigative measures to identify and apprehend those involved. As a result of the investigations, it was determined that the alleged ringleader is: A.Q. (born in 2006, Lebanese), who has a criminal record for robbery and drug-related offenses and is the subject of an outstanding wanted notice for robbery and drug offenses. On 1 July 2026, following surveillance and monitoring operations, an Information Branch patrol arrested him in Sin El Fil while he was riding a gray GR 150 motorcycle without license plates, which was seized. It was subsequently established that the motorcycle had been stolen on 8 June 2026 from Ain El Remmaneh. A search of the suspect and the motorcycle resulted in the seizure of: a military handgun containing a loaded magazine with one live round, along with a handgun holster; a ring, a necklace with a live cartridge pendant, and a black bracelet with a gold-colored finish; three mobile phones; an amount of cash. During questioning, the suspect confessed to the charges against him. He admitted that, together with other individuals, he had carried out numerous motorcycle thefts in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, including in Ain El Remmaneh and Maamoura. He also admitted to firing shots at an individual on 9 June 2026, as well as selling stolen motorcycles on behalf of a person residing in the Lailaki area. Furthermore, he admitted to using narcotic drugs, including cocaine base and cannabis. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he, together with the seized items, was referred to the competent judicial authority pursuant to the instructions of the competent public prosecutor. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining individuals involved.
17/7/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces' ongoing efforts to combat all forms of crime and apprehend offenders throughout Lebanon, the Mount Lebanon Intelligence Unit of the Regional Gendarmerie obtained information regarding an individual involved in the theft and armed robbery of motorcycles in the Al-Rihab area. Following investigations and intelligence-gathering efforts, a patrol from the unit arrested the suspect in the same area. He was identified as: A. G. (born in 2009, Syrian national). During questioning, he confessed to committing more than ten motorcycle robberies in various areas of Beirut and Mount Lebanon. He was referred to the competent authority for the necessary legal proceedings in accordance with the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
16/7/2026
As part of the ongoing cooperation between the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces, the European Union, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Ms. Sandra De Waele, and the UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon, Ms. Blerta Aliko, visited the Antelias Police Station on July 15, 2026, in the presence of the Commander of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit, Brigadier Jean Aouad. During the visit, they reviewed the rehabilitation works carried out at the station, one of three police stations being upgraded under a project funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP to strengthen the infrastructure and operational capabilities of the Internal Security Forces. On this occasion, several vehicles and a water tanker were also handed over to the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces to support its missions, particularly in southern Lebanon. This support is part of a project valued at more than US$3 million, which also aims to strengthen cooperation between the Internal Security Forces, municipalities, and local communities by supporting community policing initiatives. The project seeks to improve the security response, reinforce state institutions, and enhance security, stability, and Lebanon's sustainable recovery process.
15/7/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces' daily efforts to combat drug trafficking and apprehend wanted persons throughout Lebanon, the Mount Lebanon Intelligence Unit of the Regional Gendarmerie received information regarding an individual who was distributing narcotics while riding a GR motorcycle in the Sahraa Choueifat area. The unit immediately launched surveillance and monitoring operations and carried out a carefully planned ambush in the area, resulting in the arrest of the suspect, identified as: A. A. (born in 2001, Lebanese, according to his statements). A search led to the seizure of: 28 small packets containing narcotic substances bearing the "Coffee" logo. 31 small packets containing the substance known as "baz", bearing the "Bear" logo. One small packet containing a narcotic substance bearing the "Crown" logo. Two imitation handguns with their magazines, unloaded. An amount of cash in Lebanese pounds and U.S. dollars. A mobile phone. A GR motorcycle with no registration plate. The suspect, along with the seized items and the motorcycle, was referred to the competent unit for the necessary legal proceedings in accordance with the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
15/7/2026
