‘Selling fake notes on social media’

With advertisements on social media, fake note forgery syndicates are selling fake currency, assuring their clients that the notes cannot be detected by a blank eye.

The syndicates claimed that the notes were printed on best quality Indian papers with watermarks. Upon placing demands, the syndicates made arrangements for home delivery and a cash-on-delivery method of payment.

For 1 lakh fake notes of Tk 1,000, the syndicate charged Tk 12,000. Meanwhile, for the same number of Tk 500 notes it's Tk 14,000, for Tk 100 notes, the charge is Tk 16,000 and for Tk 50 notes, the charge is Tk 18,000.

The syndicate's social media page was named "Jal Taka".

The Daily Star got the details after analysing social media pages, text messages of fake note sellers, and talking with police officials investigating cases of forgery.

Recently, the police's detective branch (DB) claimed to have arrested Sifat Shaikh, a member of the note forgery syndicate, involved in selling notes through a social media page.

On information, police conducted a drive in the capital's Jatrabari and arrested Sifat on Monday, Mashiur Rahman, deputy commissioner (Lalbagh Division) of DB, told The Daily Star yesterday. This newspaper has managed to get hold of a text conversation between Sifat, 21, and a fake note buyer.

During that conversation, Sifat claimed that direct deliveries were possible in Dhaka but outside Dhaka, the consignment could be delivered via courier service.

He advised the buyer not to take fate notes to banks as they can detect it but it was fit to be used in markets. During the interrogation, Sifat admitted to having been involved in selling fake notes for a month. He learned the techniques to sell or talk with customers by watching YouTube videos.

During this period, Sifat has managed to earn over Tk 1 lakh by selling fake notes through advertisements on social media, said DC Mashiur Rahman.

"We are monitoring the page activities and trying to know how they are collecting the notes and where their factories are," he said.

While visiting the Facebook page of the fake note seller, this correspondent found several videos posted there. In the videos, a syndicate member was seen showcasing the fake currency and describing its authentic features.

In that video, the syndicate member asked potential clients to reach them on Facebook Messenger first and then provide their mobile numbers. They were also open to getting paid via mobile financial services.

Police said sometimes, the syndicate stopped all communication or switched off phones after receiving payment for some particular assignments.

From arrestee Sifat, police recovered around Tk 2 lakh worth of fake currency and the cell phone used for selling fake notes.