Hyderabad: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials have found that gangs involved in the circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) are preferring trains over other modes of transport.
In recent cases, officials have swooped down on FICN smugglers while they are travelling in trains. Long distance trains from Howrah to different parts of the country are proving to be a safe bet for them.
FICN is smuggled into the country from Bangladesh via Malda district in West Bengal. The gangs exchange counterfeit currency with locals of Malda and carry it to different parts of the country from Howrah by train.
“When we asked them whey they were travelling in trains with the fake currency, they said that there is not much checking. As there are hundreds of passengers, hardly anyone is suspect,” said a DRI official.
Officials found that a few smugglers booked seats in AC coaches to further avoid suspicion. “Generally, only passengers belonging to the upper middle class and above book seats in the AC coaches. So, the police seldom suspects passengers travelling in AC coaches,” said another official.
After demonetisation, the circulation of fake notes had stopped for a brief period. Of late, it has picked up again with the racketeers bringing in fakes of the Rs 2,000 notes,” he said.
The DRI official said that the gangs were hiring “carriers” to carry the fake currency across the country for a commission. The carriers are paid between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 for a trip, and a ticket in a general or an AC coach in trains.
“Unemployed youth and middle aged persons who are jobless are lured and they agree to become carriers,” the official said. DRI officials maintain that the fake currency is printed in Pakistan and pumped into India via Bangladesh. The bordering district of West Bengal is a hub for gangs exchanging the currency with locals here.
