Computer operator turns counterfeiter

Taizul Islam Liton did not continue his studies after the eighth grade. After dropping out of school, he started working as a computer operator in the capital's Nilkhet area in 2004.

While working there, he also learned computer-graphics work. Later in 2009, while working as an operator, he got acquainted with one Duruzzaman Biswas.

Turned out, Biswas, now in jail, had a fake-note forgery gang, and he wanted Liton to work with him.

Liton then started making fake documents, stamps, notes and Indian rupees. Eventually, he became the leader of the gang.

Police's detective branch (DB) disclosed the information yesterday, after arresting him and three of his associates from Lalbagh.

The three are Jahangir Alam, Ali Hayder and Mohosin Mia.

For the last six months, the gang was getting ready to spread fake currencies in the market and border areas ahead of Eid, said DB police.

Police recovered around 20 lakh fake Bangladeshi notes and 1.5 lakh fake Indian currencies from their possession. Police also seized a laptop, printer, and different types of ink, chemicals and scanner from their "factory", which was set up by renting a flat.

Based on information, police first came to know that a fake currency trader came to Dhaka from Natore to collect consignment, said Mashiur Rahman, deputy commissioner of DB police.

Following the trail, police learned about the factory, he said, adding that the arrestees were already accused in three to four cases.

Mashiur said the gang used to sell each bundle of Tk 1 lakh worth of fake notes and fake rupees for Tk 12,000 to Tk 15,000 to Jahangir.

Jahangir then sold those currency to different fake-note dealers at bordering districts like Naogaon, Bogura, Natore and Chapainawabganj. He made Tk 3,000 to 5,000 profit from each bundle.

Police said Liton met all the three members in jail.

Asked about fake rupees, DC Mashiur told The Daily Star that the syndicate was trying to make rupees for the first time to check its market and popularity.

This newspaper managed to talk with arrestee Liton about the syndicate's activities.

He said it coasts around Tk 3,000 to 4,000 to prepare Tk 1 lakh worth of fake notes, and he would sell around Tk 1 crore worth of fake notes in a month.

Earlier in February, law enforcers arrested a fake rupee forgery syndicate, which used to smuggle rupees from Pakistan and then distribute them from different bordering points of Bangladesh.

"We have information about some other members of the gang, and are conducting drives to arrest them," he added.