New Delhi: In the first seizure of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) this year, Delhi Police Special Cell recovered counterfeit notes with a face value of Rs 4 lakh. The high-quality fake notes, all in Rs 500 denomination, were smuggled into Delhi via Bangladesh. The courier was traced to Datia in Bihar.The accused was identified as Naushad Alam (22), a resident of Bettiah, Bihar. Additional CP (Special Cell) Pramod Kushwaha said that the unit worked on FICN-related intelligence for the past four months. “We had credible information that an interstate syndicate was involved in the circulation of fake currency across various states, including Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR),” he said.During surveillance, it was discovered that counterfeit currency was smuggled into India through the porous Indo-Bangladesh border. Alam was finally apprehended near the Vijay Ghat Bus Stand while attempting to deliver a large consignment of fake currency to a contact of one of his associates. A cursory search led to the recovery of high-quality counterfeit notes amounting to Rs 4 lakh from his possession at the spot.Deputy commissioner of police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik said Alam was part of a larger interstate FICN racket. “He revealed that he used to procure fake currency at the rate of Rs 200 per Rs 500 note from his sources and sold it to his contacts for Rs 300 per note. He already delivered 4–5 consignments of FICN to various contacts in Bihar, Delhi, and NCR,” Kaushik added.During the investigation, it was revealed that several Bangladesh-based operatives were involved in pumping counterfeit currency into India through border routes. Police suspect that a significant portion of the profits from this racket is used to purchase sophisticated weapons.Police said Alam, driven by financial hardship, was lured into the racket by a man who convinced him to work as a courier. On this handler’s directions, Alam procured and delivered fake currency to various parts of the country. Further investigation is underway to identify other members of the syndicate and trace the network’s roots.
