The Azarieh building, which houses the Economy Ministry, in downtown Beirut on Aug. 22, 2025. (Credit: Philippe Hage Boutros/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bsat thanked the Internal Security Forces on Thursday after the arrest of a woman suspected of posing as a ministry inspector and using the Ministry's name to scam business owners.
The ISF announced the arrest Wednesday on X, saying the suspect, identified by the initials J.M.A.N. and believed to be in her 50s, was apprehended by the Tripoli Judicial Brigade.
According to the ISF, she approached the owners of businesses and private companies demanding money, claiming it was an "annual tax" imposed by the ministry.
"She also contacted other people by phone using the same scheme," the ISF said, publishing a photo of the suspect and urging anyone who recognized her or had been targeted to contact the Tripoli Judicial Brigade at 06-443889.
The Ministry learned of the scheme about a month ago and alerted the ISF, according to a source familiar with the case who spoke to L'Orient-Le Jour. The source said the suspect allegedly extorted relatively small amounts, generally between $250 and $500.
In a statement, the Ministry "strongly condemned these practices, which harm citizens and the private sector, tarnish the image of public administration, and undermine public employees who perform their duties in accordance with legal procedures."
It added that "all monitoring operations and inspection visits by the ministry are carried out exclusively by duly authorized official inspectors" and that "no person is authorized to demand payment of any sum of money or fees in cash, under any pretext or designation whatsoever."
