Afzal Hussain (29) from Ballari tested his luck by trying to exchange fake Rs 2,000 notes at the RBI branch—a place known for spotting fakes! The bank staff immediately flagged the notes, leading to Hussain’s arrest and the unravelling of a larger counterfeit currency racket.
Following his arrest, the Halasur Gate Police Station launched an in-depth investigation, which led to the apprehension of four additional suspects involved in the operation. Those arrested included Praseeth (47) from Puducherry, Mohammad Afnas (34) from Kerala, Nuruddin alias Anwar (34), and Priyesh (34). Together, the group had been circulating fake Rs 2,000 notes worth Rs 52.40 lakh.
The case began on September 9 when Hussain walked into the RBI branch on Nrupathunga Road, Bengaluru with the counterfeit notes. Bank staff, trained to detect such attempts, immediately recognized the fakes and alerted authorities, prompting a complaint from Bhim Chaudhary, RBI’s Assistant General Manager. During questioning, Hussain revealed information that pointed to a broader counterfeit currency scheme.
With Hussain’s cooperation, police carried out a swift operation in Kerala, resulting in the arrest of his associates and the seizure of an additional Rs 27.72 lakh in counterfeit currency, along with two mobile phones used for coordinating the operation.
According to the investigation, Hussain, who operates a granite business in Ballari, owed Rs 25 lakh to Nooruddin, a Kerala-based associate. Nooruddin offered to settle the debt in fake currency printed by Priyesh, who ran a printing press in Kasaragod. Priyesh allegedly sourced specialized materials from Calicut to create the notes, which were then distributed by Nooruddin and Afnas.
Police reported that Nooruddin and Afnas used WhatsApp videos to spread the word and recruit new members into the counterfeiting scheme. Priyesh, who has a history of similar offenses and was recently released on judicial custody, is believed to be the primary figure behind the production of the fake notes.
