West Bengal Police Seize ₹7 Crore in Fake Notes, Arrest Three

Swift Summary:

• West Bengal police arrested three individuals (Teesta Sen, Sirajuddin Mollah, and Debarta Chakraborty) in connection with a counterfeit currency racket in Basirhat, North 24 Parganas district.
• The operation exposed a loan scam where one victim was defrauded out of ₹22 lakhs using fake currency.
• Between July 18-22, arrests were made with assistance from the Criminal Examination Department (CID).
• The mastermind of the racket, Abhishek Tiwari, is absconding.
• Police seized ₹7.08 crores in play money notes, ₹40,000 counterfeit notes, ₹52,000 real cash from a hotel room near Dhamakhali market alongside fake documents and materials related to counterfeiting.
• Modus operandi involved showing bundles of fake notes via video calls to victims and charging them processing fees for loans never disbursed.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The execution of this counterfeit currency racket highlights vulnerabilities both in local financial literacy and law enforcement effectiveness against economic frauds.While police actions have uncovered the extent of deceit-including significant volumes of play money designed to mislead-questions remain regarding prevention measures to protect citizens from such scams. With over ₹7 crore intended for fraudulent use found during seizures and one confirmed victim already losing substantial funds (₹22 lakh), this case underscores the importance of sustained vigilance by authorities on digital platforms used for financial promises without verification protocols.

Furthermore, CID’s findings illustrate how organized fraud operators exploit public trust by offering low-interest loans with minimal formalities-a scenario that can target financially distressed individuals seeking quick solutions. Addressing such gaps-through improved public awareness campaigns on safeguarding personal finances and stronger cybercrime monitoring systems-can be critical for preventing similar crimes going forward.

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