Authorities Warn of Scam Involving Fake European Visas
5/21/2026 10:24:17 AM
The Lebanese Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement:
Acting on instructions from the competent judicial authorities, the Internal Security Forces have circulated the photograph of a detainee identified as H. B. M. (born 1979, Lebanese national), a repeat offender previously involved in fraud and forgery cases.
He was arrested on charges of fraud and online scams after operating a Facebook page and using a foreign phone number to deceive victims—most of whom are Syrian nationals—by claiming he could secure them visas to European countries in exchange for money.
To gain their trust, the suspect required that a “guarantor” be present during meetings, which were held inside his vehicle after agreeing on the requested amount. He would then use a sleight-of-hand technique to replace the cash received from the victim with a similar-looking bundle of far lower value, consisting mainly of low-denomination currency. He would place the money in an envelope, seal and sign it, and hand it to the victim and guarantor, claiming it would be kept until the “visa” was issued. This method was used to reassure victims and reinforce the illusion of legitimacy, before he disappeared.
Investigations revealed that the suspect carried out multiple scams, the latest involving the theft of USD 21,000 from one of his victims.
The Internal Security Forces are urging anyone who may have been victimized by or recognized the suspect to contact the Information Branch at 1788 in order to take the necessary legal action.
They also warn the public against falling victim to similar scams, stressing that visa applications should be made exclusively through the relevant embassies. The ISF further advises individuals to verify any visa-related advertisements circulating on social media by consulting the official website of the respective embassy before taking any action, in order to avoid fraud schemes.
Acting on instructions from the competent judicial authorities, the Internal Security Forces have circulated the photograph of a detainee identified as H. B. M. (born 1979, Lebanese national), a repeat offender previously involved in fraud and forgery cases.
He was arrested on charges of fraud and online scams after operating a Facebook page and using a foreign phone number to deceive victims—most of whom are Syrian nationals—by claiming he could secure them visas to European countries in exchange for money.
To gain their trust, the suspect required that a “guarantor” be present during meetings, which were held inside his vehicle after agreeing on the requested amount. He would then use a sleight-of-hand technique to replace the cash received from the victim with a similar-looking bundle of far lower value, consisting mainly of low-denomination currency. He would place the money in an envelope, seal and sign it, and hand it to the victim and guarantor, claiming it would be kept until the “visa” was issued. This method was used to reassure victims and reinforce the illusion of legitimacy, before he disappeared.
Investigations revealed that the suspect carried out multiple scams, the latest involving the theft of USD 21,000 from one of his victims.
The Internal Security Forces are urging anyone who may have been victimized by or recognized the suspect to contact the Information Branch at 1788 in order to take the necessary legal action.
They also warn the public against falling victim to similar scams, stressing that visa applications should be made exclusively through the relevant embassies. The ISF further advises individuals to verify any visa-related advertisements circulating on social media by consulting the official website of the respective embassy before taking any action, in order to avoid fraud schemes.