Ahmedabad Police Uncover Major Counterfeit Currency Racket Involving 18 Banks
In a significant crackdown on financial fraud, the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) of the Ahmedabad city police has registered a formal case following the seizure of 1,659 counterfeit currency notes that were circulated through 18 different banks across the city. This operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat illicit activities within the banking system.
Seizure and Recovery Details
Acting on directives from senior officers, the Special Operations Group (SOG) team opened sealed packets received from the Reserve Bank of India and multiple local banks in the presence of independent witnesses. A detailed panchnama was conducted to document the process meticulously. During this exercise, authorities recovered a substantial cache of fake notes, including six notes of Rs 2,000, 895 of Rs 500, 374 of Rs 200, 274 of Rs 100, and 110 of Rs 50 denominations. The total face value of the seized counterfeit currency amounts to Rs 5.7 lakh, according to official statements.
Condition and Characteristics of Counterfeit Notes
Investigators noted that many of the seized notes were in poor condition, with some torn, taped together, or partially missing. Several appeared to be colour photocopies, while others bore forged bank verification stamps, indicating sophisticated attempts at deception. Additionally, old series Rs 100 and Rs 50 notes, which have been marked invalid, were discovered among the haul. All recovered notes were systematically sorted by denomination, labelled, and sealed in transparent containers to facilitate forensic examination. The entire procedure was videographed using an official e-evidence application to ensure transparency and legal compliance.
Investigation and Future Steps
Police suspect that this counterfeit currency was circulated within the banking system before December 31, 2024. Authorities are now intensifying efforts to trace the source of these fake notes and identify the individuals or networks responsible for their distribution. This case underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling financial crimes and the importance of vigilance in the banking sector to prevent such frauds from proliferating.
