Hyderabad: A fake currency racket was busted in Shamshabad Zone, with the Commissioner’s Task Force and Balapur Police apprehending three people and seizing counterfeit notes worth Rs.2.91 lakh.
Police also seized printing equipment and other materials allegedly used to produce the fake currency. Another suspected associate, Sudheer John Chela alias Vamshi of Nagole, Bandlaguda, remained absconding.
The accused were identified as Ramavath Ramu alias Mohammed, 36, a Zomato delivery worker; Ramavath Mothilal, 35, a Rapido driver; and Ramavath Gandhi, 19, an auto driver.
All three accused lived at Chinthal Thanda in Vaddipatla, according to police.
Police alleged that the accused learnt how to make counterfeit notes through videos on YouTube and Instagram. They later procured a colour printer, scanner, bond paper and other materials for the operation.
The fake currency racket involved Rs.500, Rs.200 and Rs.100 denomination notes, police said. The accused allegedly added watermark-like features before putting the notes into circulation.
They allegedly circulated the counterfeit notes in small quantities at wine shops and vegetable markets. Police said the accused particularly operated during night hours.
Fake currency racket involved multiple printing materials
The seized currency comprised 437 fake Rs.500 notes, 648 fake Rs.100 notes and 39 fake Rs.200 notes.
Police also recovered original currency notes that the accused allegedly used as models for copying. Other seized items included an Epson colour printer and scanner, a laminator and a paper cutter.
The teams also seized coloured liquids, printed Gandhi figures, watermark paper, wrapping material and three smartphones.
Police additionally seized a bike allegedly linked to the accused.
The Task Force handed over the accused and the seized property to Balapur Police for further investigation.
Task Force Shamshabad Zone Inspector D. Krishna Mohan, Balapur Inspector Sudhakar and SI K. Mansoor Ali led the operation with their teams.
Balapur Police continued the investigation into the alleged counterfeit currency circulation network.