Mangalore, March 10: Fake note racketeers in this region seem to be going global. From Indian rupees, they have now gone on to print fake foreign currency.At present, they seem to be concentrating on Dirhams. And they seem to have access to the latest technology, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake notes.
In addition to fake Indian currency, substantial amounts of fake Gulf currency are in circulation along the entire West Coast, causing concern to law enforcing agencies.
An offset machine allegedly used for printing foreign currencies was seized at Alambadi village in Kasaragod (in Kerala), which abuts Dakshina Kannada district.
The racketeers apparently circulate the duds during festivals and at fairs.A few months ago, Pandeshwar police burst a racket in fake notes and seized imported printing machines from Kasaragod.
Recently in another incident, the Vittal police under the supervision of Superintendent of Police N S Megharik, burst another racket and arrested threepersons identified as P A Mohammed Kunhi (54), K M Aboobaker (25) and Hidayatullah (27) in this connection.
All three have been remanded to judicial custody, and a hunt has been launched for four of their accomplices.Police also recovered printing materials and fake Dirhams during the raid.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that five months dud Dirhams with a face value of Rs 3.80 crore were printed at the village and sent abroad for circulation.
Besides, these dud Dirhams were circulated in different parts of the country too, and exchanged for local currency.
A special team has been formed by Kasaragod ASP Manoj Abraham to crack down on these gangs circulating fake currency.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
