SIU nabs suspect for peddling fake notes

Says probe expanded to hunt gang operating from Peshawar

KARACHI:

Counterfeit currency notes have been in circulation in the metropolitan city which are hard to detect even with the help of ultraviolet (UV) light, revealed a suspect taken into custody by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) in connection with fake currency smuggling.

The suspect was taken into custody during an operation for alleged involvement in inter-provincial smuggling of fake currency notes.

"The gangs involved in the illegal business can counterfeit currency notes of several countries, including US dollar, Saudi riyal, British pound sterling, and UAE dirham," the police quoted the suspect as saying. The suspect told police that most of these gangs, which include women, operate out of Peshawar.

The arrested suspect said that a man named Faizullah was his contact person for counterfeit currency notes. He told police that he sold fake currency notes in Malir, Surjani, Korangi, North Nazimabad and Lyari.

The investigation states that counterfeiters are using social media to buy and sell such notes. Public transport is used to deliver fake currency notes, he said, adding that they would sell Rs500,000 fake currency notes for Rs35,000.

According to investigators, the arrested suspect has divulged the names of his 21 accomplices and the SIU has expanded the scope of the investigation based on that information.

The SIU had arrested two suspects, named Imran Khan and Shahidullah Khan on March 15 during an operation near Bilal Colony, in Korangi, and recovered fake currency worth Rs300,000 and weapons from their possession.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2023.