The Internal Security Forces General Directorate - Public Relations Division announced that "recently, there has been an increase in incidents where citizens are lured by gangs under the pretext of selling them what is termed 'frozen dollars' or for purchasing cryptocurrencies, with the aim of robbing them at gunpoint. In addition to armed thefts of motorcycles from citizens, which are carried out by unknown individuals on motorcycles who open fire on their victims, injuring them after committing the robberies. Consequently, specialized units within the Internal Security Forces were tasked to identify the perpetrators as quickly as possible, especially since the mentioned gang has instilled fear and terror among citizens in many areas across Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
As a result of technical and intelligence investigations, the Information Branch identified the mastermind behind the aforementioned robberies, who shoots citizens after robbing them of their money or motorcycles. He was found to be named: M. Z. (born in 1988, Lebanese) with a criminal record including charges of throwing explosives, attempted murder, theft, possession of a firearm, resisting authorities, assault and battery, and armed assault. He is wanted under two judicial warrants and is continuously armed, carrying a hand grenade.
Orders were given to the special force in the branch to identify his location and arrest him. On October 30, 2023, after careful surveillance, the special force managed to spot him in the Hayy al-Sallum area - southern suburbs, where they set up an ambush that led to his arrest while he was riding his motorcycle. A military pistol, a hand grenade, a quantity of the narcotic drug 'Rivotril,' a forged identity card, and a sum of money were confiscated from him.
During the investigation, he confessed to being the mastermind of an armed robbery gang that had executed dozens of operations within the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Governorates. The gang members would lure many individuals through deceitful practices under the pretense of selling frozen dollars or buying cryptocurrencies, stealing their money. He revealed that during many of the operations he executed, he fired at his victims to incapacitate them and prevent them from pursuing him. Among the most dangerous of his operations were:
- In the Hazmieh area, he robbed $6,500 from two elderly individuals.
- In the southern suburbs, he robbed $10,000 and fired two shots at the victim, injuring him.
- In Choueifat, he robbed $12,500 from a young man in a Mercedes car.
- In Corniche al-Mazraa - Beirut, he stole 897 million Lebanese Lira and shot the victim, injuring him.
- In Hamra, near the Commodore Hotel - Beirut, he attempted to rob an individual and shot him, injuring him.
- In Galerie Samaan, he stole $10,000 and shot the victim.
- In Hazmieh, he stole $2,400 and shot the car driver, injuring him.
- In Dhour al-Choueir, he stole $10,000 and shot the robbed individual, injuring him.
- In Al-Sayyad area, he stole $1,000 and a mobile phone, shooting the victim and injuring him.
He also confessed to committing numerous armed thefts of motorcycles and firing at their owners in areas such as Khaldeh, Naameh, Choueifat, Zaitunay Bay, Dora, Tayouneh, Spinneys, and Bourj Hammoud. Among his accomplices in the robberies was identified as: Q. Q. (born in 1996, Syrian nationality), who has an arrest warrant for theft.
On October 31, 2023, the special force in the branch arrested the latter in the Ouzai area and confiscated his motorcycle. During the investigation, he confessed to the charges against him. Therefore, based on judicial directions, the Internal Security Forces General Directorate circulated the pictures of the detainees and requested anyone who has fallen victim to their actions to approach the Beirut Information Branch or contact the phone number 01-307728, in preparation for necessary legal actions."
