HYDERABAD, November 3, 2026 — Police in Hyderabad have arrested four people and seized counterfeit ₹500 notes with a face value of about ₹6.78 crore after uncovering an alleged currency-printing and extortion racket operating from the city’s outskirts, officials said on Tuesday.
The operation was conducted by the Future City Commissionerate’s Abdullapurmet police and the Shadnagar Special Operations Team. Police said the investigation began after officers intercepted a vehicle near Abdullapurmet on November 1 and recovered fake currency worth ₹8 lakh, along with suspected fake police identity cards, an imitation pistol, walkie-talkie sets, mobile phones and the vehicle.
Investigators subsequently searched a rented house in Kuntloor, where the main accused allegedly operated a counterfeit-note printing unit. According to the police, the suspect scanned genuine banknotes, edited the images using software and printed counterfeit notes after learning the process from online videos and social media material.
Police said the group initially attempted to circulate the notes but later changed its method. The suspects allegedly approached prospective buyers by displaying genuine currency to gain their confidence. They then arrived in vehicles with fake number plates, posed as police personnel using counterfeit identity cards and walkie-talkies, and threatened buyers with an imitation firearm before taking their genuine money.
Based on information provided during the investigation, officers searched the rented premises and seized 134 bundles of counterfeit ₹500 notes with a face value of around ₹6.7 crore. The equipment recovered included printers, a laptop, a lamination machine, a currency-cutting machine and other material allegedly used in producing the notes.
Future City Police Commissioner Tarun Joshi said four people had been arrested. Three other suspects were absconding, and police were continuing efforts to trace them. The investigation is also examining the source of the equipment, the intended circulation network and whether additional people were involved in the operation.
The alleged use of fake police identities points to a second layer of criminal activity beyond counterfeit production. By posing as officers, the suspects could intimidate people who believed they were dealing with law enforcement, turning an attempted currency sale into an alleged robbery. Police have not disclosed the identities of any wider network members beyond the four arrested suspects.
The seizure is a reminder that counterfeit currency operations can combine financial fraud with impersonation and coercion. Members of the public should avoid informal offers to exchange or purchase currency at unusual discounts and should report suspected fake notes or individuals posing as police through official channels. The allegations remain subject to investigation and court proceedings.
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment. Comments are published after moderation.