The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division, reported that "we received information regarding an individual impersonating an employee of the U.S. Embassy, using a fictitious name (Michael Maawad), convincing his victims that he could secure U.S. travel visas in exchange for financial amounts. Many Lebanese and Syrian individuals fell victim to his actions."
In a statement, it noted that "following this, specialized units within the division began technical and investigative measures to identify and arrest the suspect. As a result of inquiries and investigations, they were able to determine his identity: M. A. (born in 1975, Lebanese), who has a criminal record and was previously imprisoned for fraud and forgery crimes."
The directorate announced that "on July 11, 2024, after careful monitoring, one of the division's patrols was able to arrest him in Jounieh, where they seized an individual civil status statement and a color printout of a forged American passport under the name Mikhail Maawad, along with official documents and photographs belonging to individuals who fell victim to his schemes."
It clarified that "during the investigations, it was found that he sometimes used a wig to carry out his fraudulent operations. Several victims recognized him and confirmed that he impersonated an employee at the American Embassy in Beirut, misleading them into believing he could secure visas for them to America and other foreign countries due to his supposed job at the mentioned embassy, in exchange for financial sums. Additionally, he deceived them into obtaining iPhone 10 Pro mobile phones at prices ranging between $200 and $300, without fulfilling any of his promises or returning their money, and then went into hiding."
The directorate circulated his image, asking those who fell victim to his actions to come to the Judicial Division of the New Jdeideh Police Unit located near the New Jdeideh Courthouse, or to contact the number 901203 -01 in preparation for necessary legal actions.
