The following statement was issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division: As a result of the daily follow-up by the specialized units in the Internal Security Forces to combat fraud schemes in various Lebanese regions, information was received about unknown individuals selling counterfeit gold to citizens while deceiving them into believing it is genuine. Their latest operation took place on January 16, 2024, in Harissa, where they offered a citizen to sell them a quantity of gold and provided him with a sample, which was a genuine gold bracelet for him to test in jewelry stores. After confirming its authenticity, the citizen proceeded to purchase 60 pieces valued at 18,000 US dollars, only to later discover that 59 of them were fake.
Immediately, the specialized units in the Information Division began on-ground and investigative procedures to identify the members of the fraud gang and apprehend them. Following intensive inquiries and investigations, they identified the suspects, including: M. Z. (born in 1998, Syrian), the mastermind; M. H. (born in 1994, Syrian); and A. T. (born in 1996, Syrian).
On January 20 and 21, 2024, after careful surveillance, the division's patrols were able to arrest the first suspect in Nabaa, while the second and third suspects were apprehended in Chowifat in a silver Mini Cooper car used to carry out their operations, which was also seized. Upon searching them, an amount of 2,700 US dollars was found in their possession.
During the investigation, they confessed to the charges against them regarding their involvement in fraud operations targeting citizens by selling them counterfeit gold. They would show the victim a genuine sample for examination in jewelry stores and then provided them with pieces similar to the sample, which were fake. They added that the first suspect is the mastermind.
Legal action has been taken against them, and they were referred along with the seized items to the relevant authorities based on the judiciary's order. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices.
