UP fake currency racket busted, Rs 1.15 lakh in counterfeit notes seized; 5 arrested

A fake currency printing racket has been busted in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur, with the Special Operations Group (SOG) and local police arresting five people, including a woman, and recovering counterfeit notes worth Rs 1.15 lakh. The police also seized Rs 37,000 in genuine currency, a printer and other equipment allegedly used to produce the fake notes.

The accused have been identified as Reena, Akil, Suhail, Imran and Ashutosh. Another suspected member of the gang, identified as Mukarram, is absconding.

The operation was launched after the SOG received information that a gang involved in printing and circulating counterfeit currency was active in the area. Acting on a tip-off, the SOG and Sadar Bazar police team arrested the five accused near the NCC office intersection.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed that they had learnt the process of printing fake currency through the internet before setting up their own operation. They used a printer and other equipment to produce counterfeit Rs 500 notes on GSM paper.

Police said the accused had also used their photography training to improve the printing process. The gang allegedly operated a portable setup that could be installed at different locations to print counterfeit currency.WOMAN USED TO CIRCULATE FAKE NOTES IN MARKET

Investigators said Reena played a key role in circulating the counterfeit notes in the market. She was allegedly tasked with passing off the fake currency because the gang believed her involvement as a woman would attract less suspicion.

Shahjahanpur City Superintendent of Police Devendra Kumar said Reena and her husband, Akil, had approached Imran and his associates to exchange Rs 37,000 in genuine currency for counterfeit notes worth Rs 50,000.

The police recovered Rs 1.15 lakh in counterfeit currency and Rs 37,000 in genuine cash from the accused. The gang is suspected to have already circulated fake notes worth lakhs of rupees in the market.

Police are now investigating the racket's wider network and identifying others who may have been involved in printing or circulating the counterfeit currency. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.- Ends