Fake Currency Ring Busted in Surat: Four Arrested

A fake currency manufacturing unit was uncovered in Surat's Sarthana area, leading to the arrest of four individuals. Inspired by the web series Farzi, they operated under the guise of running an online garment store. Police seized Rs 1.20 lakh in counterfeit notes and various printing equipment.

A fake currency manufacturing unit operating in the office of an online garment store was busted in Gujarat's Surat city, resulting in the arrest of four individuals, police said on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeep Nakum revealed that the suspects were allegedly inspired by the web series 'Farzi,' which features actor Shahid Kapoor portraying a small-time con artist who amasses wealth by counterfeiting currency notes.

The Surat Special Operations Group (SOG) officials raided the office in the Sarthana locality on Saturday, arresting three individuals found with 'high quality' counterfeit currency totaling Rs 1.20 lakh, according to a police release.

A fourth suspect was apprehended later, the release noted.

The accused had rented office space in a commercial building, posing as an online garment business but were reportedly printing fake currency on the premises, the release explained.

The SOG team had been monitoring the office and its occupants closely, conducting the raid when the three principal suspects gathered to print counterfeit notes, the statement added.

'Acting on verified intelligence, the police raided the office and arrested Rahul Chauhan, Pavan Banode, and Bhavesh Rathod, dismantling a mini-factory for fake currency notes,' the release said.

The police also recovered counterfeit notes totaling Rs 1.20 lakh and various printing equipment, including foil paper, color printers, printing ink, and a lamination machine, it stated.

(With inputs from agencies.)