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 all forms of crime, particularly organized fraud schemes, a Syrian national filed a complaint with the Cybercrime and Intellectual Property Bureau of the Judicial Police Unit against unknown persons after falling victim to a fraud operation in which approximately USDT 500,000 in cryptocurrency was stolen from him inside an apartment in Sahel Aalma.
According to his statement, in December 2025, he was contacted by a member of the gang using an Italian telephone number, who offered to purchase USDT cryptocurrency in exchange for a commission higher than the prevailing market rate.
Following a meeting at a hotel in Beirut with two individuals who introduced themselves as businessmen—one Syrian and the other Jordanian—a trial transfer of US$2,000 was successfully made to a designated digital wallet. The parties then agreed to complete the main transaction at an apartment in Sahel Aalma.
The following day, the victim met the two individuals at the apartment, where the cash he was supposed to receive was counted and examined using a counterfeit currency detector. He then transferred 500,000 USDT to the designated digital wallet.
Immediately after the transfer, one member of the gang pretended to suffer a severe heart attack, prompting two accomplices and the victim to take him to a nearby pharmacy for assistance, while the remaining suspects stayed inside the apartment. When the victim returned, he discovered that all members of the gang had fled without handing over the agreed cash payment.
The Cybercrime and Intellectual Property Bureau immediately launched an extensive investigation that lasted nearly six months, ultimately uncovering the circumstances of the fraud and identifying those involved.
Technical and electronic investigations established that:
M. F. H. H. (born in 1992, Lebanese),
known by the alias “Al-Mukhtar,” was the mastermind behind the operation. He enlisted the assistance of two accomplices, one Syrian and one Jordanian, who had entered Lebanon from abroad to participate in carrying out the scheme.
Following a specialized operation conducted by the Special Operations Group of the Judicial Police Unit, after approximately five months of surveillance, the suspect was arrested. During interrogation, he was confronted with evidence and intelligence confirming his involvement.
Wanted notices have also been issued against the remaining suspects, and efforts are ongoing to arrest them.
Upon the instructions of the competent judicial authority, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces is circulating the suspect’s photograph and requests anyone who has fallen victim to his fraudulent acts or recognizes him to report to the Cybercrime and Intellectual Property Bureau or call 01-293293, in preparation for the necessary legal proceedings.
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: On 23 July 2026, an unidentified individual vandalized the statue of the Virgin Mary in the town of Baramiyeh – Sidon District, causing widespread outrage among the residents of the town and the surrounding area. The specialized units of the Internal Security Forces immediately launched field and intelligence investigations to identify and apprehend the perpetrator. As a result of extensive inquiries and investigations, the Information Branch succeeded, within a short period of time, in identifying the suspect as: A. J. (born in 2001, Lebanese) Following close surveillance, one of the Branch's patrols arrested him in the same town within less than 24 hours of the incident. During interrogation, he confessed to vandalizing the statue. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was referred to the competent judicial authority in accordance with judicial instructions.
12/8/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: A contracting company will carry out the removal of a steel expansion joint between the two carriageways of the Tabarja Highway at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 12 August 2026. The operation is expected to last approximately 15 minutes. The works will be carried out on one lane of the westbound carriageway of the Tabarja Highway. Traffic will not be interrupted, but the roadway will be partially narrowed throughout the duration of the works. Motorists are kindly requested to comply with the instructions of Internal Security Forces personnel and the directional traffic signs in the area to facilitate traffic flow.
11/8/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: A woman filed a complaint with the Baabda Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit against her husband: H. M. (born in 1986, Lebanese), accusing him of domestic violence, threatening her and their children with a military firearm, and teaching their minor son how to use hand grenades. Following extensive investigations and inquiries, a patrol from the Baabda Judicial Detachment located and arrested the suspect in Sahra Choueifat on 11 August 2026, and escorted him to the detachment. It is worth noting that, during the arrest, a number of the suspect's relatives and local residents gathered at the scene and attempted to block the military vehicle and prevent the officers from taking H. M. into custody. It was also established that the suspect has a criminal record involving multiple offenses. The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the competent judicial authority.
11/8/2026
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 all forms of crime throughout Lebanon, the Information Branch received information indicating that several individuals in various areas of Mount Lebanon Governorate had fallen victim to fraudulent theft schemes carried out by unidentified suspects. The victims were deceived into purchasing gold coins at attractive prices, only to discover, after the perpetrators had fled, that the coins were counterfeit. Following extensive investigations, Information Branch officers obtained information that the alleged ringleader and principal perpetrator was preparing to carry out another fraud operation in Bhamdoun. On 16 July 2026, he was arrested after resisting the patrol, which was compelled to use force to apprehend him. He was identified as: A. H. J. (born in 2005, Syrian national). A search of the suspect resulted in the seizure of: One pepper spray canister. 185 counterfeit coins made to resemble gold sovereigns. During interrogation, he admitted carrying out three fraudulent operations involving the sale of counterfeit gold in Bhamdoun. He stated that another individual based in Syria contacted potential victims and offered to sell them gold coins at an attractive price, claiming they could not be sold in Syria for fabricated reasons. According to his confession, the victims were first shown a genuine gold coin, which they were able to verify at jewelry stores. During a second meeting, however, they were handed the remaining counterfeit coins. He further admitted that he generally introduced himself to victims under the name "Ibrahim", in addition to using other false identities. He also stated that the same gang had carried out numerous similar frauds in Mansourieh, and that several accomplices had assisted him. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the network. The suspect also admitted that he had entered Lebanon illegally. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and the counterfeit coins were seized. Investigations continue to arrest the remaining gang members. Upon the instructions of the competent judicial authority, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces is circulating the suspect's photograph and requests anyone who has fallen victim to his fraudulent acts to report to the Mount Lebanon Information Branch or call 01-513732 to assist with the legal proceedings. The following telephone numbers were used to contact victims: 81/092188 +963 991 404 997 +90 535 743 0873 +963 944 930 368 81/564255 +90 535 942 2775 +963 954 639 443 Warning: The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces urges citizens not to purchase gold from unknown or untrusted individuals. Gold should only be purchased from licensed and accredited jewelry stores that issue official stamped invoices, in order to safeguard buyers' rights and prevent fraud. Citizens are also warned against responding to fake advertisements and online pages offering gold at unusually attractive prices, as such offers are intended solely to facilitate fraudulent schemes.
11/8/2026
