The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: "Around 5:30 PM on February 18, 2024, an unidentified individual entered a flower shop in Batroun, purchased a cardboard box worth ten US dollars, and paid with a one-hundred-dollar bill. After the shop owner inspected the bill with a specialized pen and found it to be genuine, she returned ninety dollars in change. It was later discovered, after the customer left, that the bill received was counterfeit.
On February 19, 2024, following investigations by the Batroun police unit, the suspect's identity and residence were determined, leading to his arrest. He was found in possession of counterfeit dollars totaling 5,800 US dollars. The individual, identified as M.Y. (born in 2001, Syrian nationality), was recognized by the shop owner. The arrested individual and the seized items were submitted to the Financial Crimes and Money Laundering Bureau of the Judicial Police for further investigation, in accordance with the judiciary's directives."
