The Special Operation Group (SOG) of Surat Police has unearthed a sophisticated counterfeit currency racket that has sent shockwaves through the financial security agencies. A local gang was found using advanced machinery, reportedly procured from China, to print high-quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). Preliminary investigations reveal that the gang has already successfully circulated fake notes worth ₹10 lakh in the market.The "Made in China" ConnectionWhat sets this case apart is the level of technical sophistication. The accused did not rely on standard scanners; instead, they imported specialized industrial machinery and high-grade security paper.The Process: The gang used high-resolution printers and chemical processing units to mimic the texture, watermark, and security thread of genuine Indian currency.Procurement: Sources suggest the equipment was ordered via dark-web-linked platforms or misdeclared during imports to bypass customs.Modus Operandi: How They Fooled the SystemThe gang targeted crowded weekly markets, small-time vendors, and petrol pumps where cash transactions are rapid, and detailed scrutiny is rare.Denominations: The racket primarily focused on ₹500 and ₹200 notes, as these are easier to circulate without raising immediate suspicion compared to the ₹2000 notes (which are being phased out).Distribution Network: The masterminds employed "carriers" who were paid a commission to exchange fake notes for genuine change in rural and semi-urban areas around Surat and South Gujarat.The Crackdown by Surat SOGActing on a tip-off, the Surat SOG conducted a midnight raid at a residential-cum-commercial facility.Seizures: Police recovered counterfeit notes with a face value of several lakhs, along with semi-finished sheets, specialized ink, and the Chinese-origin printing press.Arrests: Multiple key members of the gang have been taken into custody. The police are now investigating if this syndicate has links to international modules or terror-funding networks.Public Advisory: How to Spot Fake Notes?The Surat Police has urged citizens to be vigilant. Key features to check include:The Security Thread: Check if the color shifts from green to blue when tilted.Watermark: Look for the Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype '500' in the white window.Texture: Genuine notes have "intaglio" (raised) printing on the Ashoka Pillar emblem and bleed lines.
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