Seized fake notes were too hi-tech to be fakes

AHMEDABAD, AUG 13: Fake currency notes seized on Friday were so close to real ones that even the standard ultra-violet tests applied by ba...

AHMEDABAD, AUG 13: Fake currency notes seized on Friday were so close to real ones that even the standard ultra-violet tests applied by banks to determine authenticity failed to detect whether they were real or fake. That is what the Anti-Terrorist Squad ATS discovered when they arrested three more persons recently with Rs 500 fake notes worth Rs 50,000.

In an operation, led by ATS inspector KP Swami, the sleuths picked up Amulak Thakkar from Manek Chowk area. Following Thakkar8217;s interrogation, the agency officials arrested Paresh Soni from whom fake notes of Rs 500 worth Rs 50,000 were recovered. Other accused in the case was Iqbal Saiyyad.

The ATS was baffled by the authenticity8217; of the notes, which the three culprits, had admitted were fake. But they had passed the initial ultra-violet UV test because they were printed in such sophisticated manner that the results, expected during a UV test like figures and emblems glowing, were normal.

Only a forensic report confirmed that the notes were indeed fake after conducting several chemical tests. 8220;They were printed in a state-of-the-art printing set-up with all the necessary ingredients. These notes will pass the ultra-violet test usually done by bank officials for identifying the fake notes,8221; an investigating officer said.

8220;We are finding out how many such fake notes already have been deposited in several banks in the State,8221; Deputy Superintendent of ATS, Abhay Chudasma told The Indian Express.

It may be recalled that few days back, the ATS, led by Chudasama, had arrested five persons from Chiloda area and recovered fake notes worth Rs 11 lakh, following which, two others were also picked by the ATS from Walled City.

It was also found by the ATS in the preliminary investigation that Mumbai-based Sayyed Farooqui was the main culprit of the racket, suspected to be patronised by the ISI of Pakistan.

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With the arrest of Thakkar, Soni and Saiyyed nephew of Noor Mohammed arrested earlier by the Surendranagar district police two months. He was brought here on transfer warrant, ten culprits have been arrested in connection of the fake Rs 500 currency notes racket.