Syrian Man Arrested for Selling Fake Gold at Attractive Prices!

Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Section:

"In the ongoing efforts by Internal Security Forces to combat all forms of crime across various Lebanese regions, information was received by the Information Branch about several individuals in different areas of Mount Lebanon being targeted by fraudulent theft operations carried out by unknown persons. These individuals were deceived into purchasing gold bars at attractive prices, only to later discover after the perpetrators fled to an unknown location that the bars were counterfeit and worthless.

Following investigations and inquiries, elements of the aforementioned branch managed to gather intelligence indicating preparations for a fraudulent operation in the town of Bhamdoun by the mastermind and executor of the previously mentioned operations. On July 16, 2026, he was apprehended after resisting arrest, prompting security forces to use force. His name is:

U. H. J. (born 2005, Syrian)

Upon search, pepper spray was found on his person, along with 185 pieces shaped like gold bars, which were counterfeit.

During interrogation, he confessed to carrying out three such operations by selling fake gold in Bhamdoun. Communication with victims was conducted by another individual located in Syria, who offered them the purchase of gold bars at highly attractive prices, falsely claiming it was impossible to sell them in Syria due to fabricated reasons. A sample was shown to the victim as a genuine gold bar, which the victim would verify by checking it at licensed jewelry stores. After confirmation, the remaining counterfeit gold bars were delivered during a second meeting.

He also stated that he used the name 'Ibrahim' generally when addressing victims, along with other fictitious names. He revealed that the same gang had carried out numerous operations in Al-Manasiriyah, and that several individuals assisted him in these operations—efforts are ongoing to apprehend them. Additionally, he admitted to having entered Lebanon illegally.

Legal procedures were carried out against him, and he was handed over to the competent authority. The counterfeit gold bars have been seized, and investigations continue to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.

The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces, based on a referral from the competent judiciary, is circulating the photo of the arrested individual and requests that victims come forward to the Mount Lebanon Information Branch or contact the phone number 01513732 to initiate legal actions.

The following phone numbers used to contact victims are:

81/092188 963991404997 905357430873 963944930368 81/564255 905359422775 963954639443

Warning: This directorate urges citizens not to purchase gold from unknown or untrusted individuals, and to limit such transactions exclusively to licensed and approved jewelry shops that provide official stamped invoices to safeguard rights and prevent fraud. It also warns the public against falling for misleading advertisements and online pages offering gold at unusually low prices, as these are solely intended to carry out fraudulent schemes."