Surat Police Seize ₹2.5 Crore Cash: Fake Notes Scam Busted, Mumbai Dealers Caught
Saroli Police in Surat achieved a major breakthrough by arresting three individuals who came from Mumbai to deliver counterfeit currency. Over ₹2.5 crore worth of fake notes were seized from them. These individuals used genuine Indian currency notes on the top and bottom of bundles, concealing counterfeit notes in between, to deceive banks and other institutions.
Arrest Made During Routine Check at Check Post
Acting on a tip-off, Saroli Police learned that suspects Datatray Shivaji Rokde, Gulshan Ajit Gugle, and Rahul Bonu Vishwakarma were transporting bundles of counterfeit notes from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. These bundles contained genuine Indian currency notes on the outside and fake ones inside. The suspects were intercepted while walking near Niyol check post. To avoid suspicion, the police discreetly observed the area before cordoning and arresting the suspects.
Plan to Exchange Fake Notes for Real Money
During interrogation, Datatray Shivaji revealed that he had been contacted by Rahul Mahadev Kale from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, a week earlier. Rahul proposed delivering bundles of ₹200 and ₹500 notes, containing genuine notes on the outside and counterfeit notes inside, in Surat. The plan was to exchange these bundles for genuine ₹100 and ₹50 notes in markets and banks in Surat. The profits from this exchange were to be shared equally among them.
Mastermind and Associates Declared Wanted
As part of the plan, on December 13th around 9:30 PM, Rahul Mahadev Kale handed over bags filled with counterfeit currency bundles at Vile Parle bus station in Mumbai. These were to be delivered to Kale at Surat railway station. Currently, Saroli Police have arrested the three suspects and declared Rahul Kale, the mastermind, and the suppliers of these fake notes from Maharashtra as wanted. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the counterfeit notes.
Seizure of Counterfeit Currency Worth ₹2.5 Crore
The police recovered a total of 43 bundles containing ₹500 notes, of which 86 were genuine (valued at ₹43,000) and the remaining 42,914 were fake. Similarly, 21 bundles of ₹200 notes were found, with 42 genuine notes (valued at ₹8,400) and 20,958 fake ones. In addition to this, three mobile phones and other evidence were seized. The total seized value amounted to ₹2.5 crore.
Modus Operandi: Mixing Genuine Notes with Counterfeits
The accused placed genuine notes at the top and bottom of bundles, sandwiching counterfeit notes labeled “Bachcho Ka Khata” in between. These bundles were used to carry out large-scale cash transactions in banks and other locations. To deceive people, they quickly offered ₹500 and ₹200 notes in exchange for genuine ₹100 and ₹50 notes. For their role in delivering the counterfeit notes to Surat, the three suspects were to be paid ₹10,000.
