Counterfeit Crackdown: Major Fake Currency Bust Near Kolkata

A joint operation by Nepal and West Bengal police led to the arrest of seven individuals, including a couple, and the seizure of counterfeit currency worth Rs 70 crore near Kolkata. The couple allegedly enticed businesspersons to invest in fake schemes using video calls and may be linked to an international network.

In a significant development, authorities have uncovered a counterfeit currency racket with the arrest of seven individuals, including a couple, in a flat near Kolkata. The operation, a collaboration between Nepal Police and their West Bengal counterparts, resulted in the seizure of counterfeit notes totaling a face value of Rs 70 crore.

The raid took place in Belgharia, within the Kamarhati municipality, following investigations that connected the couple, Deepa Dhar and Arindam, to the fake currency operation. The duo reportedly traveled to Nepal in 2024, which led to their apparent involvement in the racket, targeting businesspersons with fake investment schemes, authorities said.

Investigators believe the racket could be part of a larger international network involved in cross-border counterfeiting. This operation has shed light on the scale of such illicit activities, and efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other syndicate members involved.

(With inputs from agencies.)