Rajasthan Police arrested six accused in a ‘Farzi’-inspired counterfeit currency operation. The probe uncovered an alleged network spanning five states and using online platforms.
A web series inspired a gang to enter the world of counterfeit currency, leading to an inter-state fake note racket spanning five states. Rajasthan Police have arrested six accused under ‘Operation Notflix’ after an investigation into the circulation and production of fake Indian currency uncovered links across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Chhattisgarh.
According to the police investigation, some members of the alleged gang drew inspiration from the web series ‘Farzi’ and began working on a plan to produce counterfeit notes. The network allegedly used online platforms to arrange digital files and specialised paper needed to print fake currency.
The investigation began on September 29, when Dungarpur Police arrested Bhavesh Khatik and Nayan Joshi from the Mada School Ground in Rajasthan. The two were allegedly found in possession of counterfeit currency worth 4,95,500.
Their interrogation led investigators to other alleged members of the network and its connections across several states. Police are now investigating the extent of the racket and how much counterfeit currency may have entered circulation.
HOW THE RACKET OPERATED
According to Dungarpur Superintendent of Police Manish Kumar, the alleged main accused, Ravi Kumar, fled after getting wind of the police action. He reportedly kept changing his locations and mobile numbers to evade arrest.
However, police eventually tracked him down and arrested him at Ludhiana railway station in Punjab, around 1,300 kilometres away from Dungarpur.
The investigation also revealed the alleged role of Anand Rajput, a resident of Ambala in Haryana. According to police, Rajput developed the idea of printing counterfeit currency after watching ‘Farzi’.
Investigators also found alleged links involving Photoshop and YouTube in the process of preparing the counterfeit notes.
TELEGRAM CHANNEL USED TO SOURCE PAPER
Police arrested Mohammed Arif from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. He is accused of arranging paper through a Telegram channel called ‘Ankit Paper Seller’, which allegedly supplied material for the operation.
Another accused, Tarun Malekar, was arrested in Durg, Chhattisgarh. Police allege that he supplied a digital file related to the 500 currency note.