The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Branch issued the following statement today, Saturday: "Recently, there have been operations involving the sale of counterfeit gold coins executed by unknown individuals of Syrian nationality in various areas of Mount Lebanon, with the most recent incident occurring on July 12, 2024, in the town of Mansourieh. During this incident, a citizen purchased several gold coins from a Syrian individual for the amount of three thousand US dollars, after which the seller fled with the money, and it became clear to the buyer that the gold coins were fake.
The Information Branch arrested two members of the gang selling counterfeit gold coins fraudulently in Mansourieh and Sabra, and seized a quantity of them.
As a result, the specialized units in the Information Branch intensified their field and intelligence efforts to identify and apprehend the suspects. Through investigations and inquiries, the identities of the gang members were determined, including:
- E.K. (born in 1998, Syrian)
- K.K. (born in 1994, Syrian)
On July 12 and 16, 2024, after careful surveillance, one of the patrols from the branch managed to arrest the first suspect in Mansourieh and seized counterfeit gold coins, while the second suspect was arrested in the Sabra area of Beirut. During the investigation, they confessed to conducting several fraudulent operations selling counterfeit gold coins, and that one of their gang members is in Turkey, communicating with victims via WhatsApp, convincing them to buy gold coins at attractive prices. Additionally, one of their partners secures the fake coins from Syria, and they sell them to the victims, steal their money, and flee, after which the stolen amounts are divided among the gang members.
Legal action was taken against them, and they were referred to the competent judiciary along with the seized items. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining perpetrators.
The Internal Security Forces warn citizens against falling victim to such acts and urge them not to buy jewelry or gold items except from trusted stores or individuals."
