Security agencies have rung alarm bells after seized fake Indian currency notes (FICN), totalling a whopping Rs 10 crore this year alone, showed most of the security features in various denominations had been replicated. | |
| A presentation at the ongoing four-day Directors and Inspectors General of Police conference revealed that in the last two years there has been a sudden spurt in smuggling of these notes as reflected by a large seizure at different places including in some neighbouring countries. |
| |
| "Particularly, some of the seizures in past 7-8 months are really alarming. Total FICN seizure in India in past seven months have crossed Rs 10 crore, which may be just a tip of the iceberg," according to a presentation made by a security agency. |
| |
| Among the high-value seizures this year, 2.34 crore fake notes were seized from Hyderabad in August, 1.67 crore in Kuala lumpur and one crore in Kathmandu (both in July). |
| |
| "Now, in FICNs most of the security features are being replicated," the agency said and added that fake notes were being smuggled from different "trans-shipment points such as United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Nepal." |
| |
| "The forensic examination of seized notes indicate uniformity of replication of security features from which it can be inferred that the notes originate from the same source and there is a strong suspicion that it may be from one of our neighbouring country (Pakistan)," it said. |
| |
| Besides shipping in the FICN, the fake currency notes were also being smuggled from the land routes through Nepal, Bangladesh and Jammu and Kashmir, train routes through Atari and Munabao-Khakrapar and even by air. |
| |
| "Very recently in two cases, one in Colombo and another in Hyderabad, the currency was transported in containers through sea route," it said. |
| |
| The organised crime syndicate has developed widespread networks for smuggling as well as further circulation of fake currency notes once it reached the country. |
| |
| "It was indicated by interrogation of accused person in some cases that Southern and Western India and western UP had emerged as big markets for the fake Indian Currency notes," it added. |
| |
|
| |
