Conflict Incident Report

On 22 Oct 16, Police detained two people suspected of impersonating a cleric in order to defraud people in the Kesrouan district north of Beirut. An Internal Security Forces statement said that 52-year-old R.R. and his accomplice 50-year-old B.A., had been detained in Maameltein Tuesday, 18 Oct 16 after they had allegedly impersonated a cleric using the name "Bishop Saliba" to carry out fraudulent acts. The two suspects admitted to the charges during questioning by the Jounieh police and confessed to conning 12 institutions, companies and people by attaining financial aid under the pretext of helping hospital patients. They also said there was a third accomplice – a ring leader – who police then lured to Serail Jounieh and arrested. The 46-year-old man allegedly admitted to the charges as well.