Abu Dhabi: Three Indians are among five people arrested here for allegedly trying to sell fake Kuwaiti dinars with a face value of 100,000 KWDs, Abu Dhabi police said.
The accused Indians include the general manager at a medical clinic, head of marketing of a perfume company and a household appliance salesman, police said, adding that a father-son duo of British nationality, who were holding a visit visa to UAE, are also a part of the gang.
"Late last month, the CID received a confirmed tip-off about an individual who had in his possession fake 100,000 KWD (around USD 331,000) that he intended to sell as circulated notes to any buyer for the best market price.
"The suspect specifically asked for a sum of Dh 1.2 million (around USD 320,000) for the notes," Head of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Abu Dhabi Police Colonel Rashid Mohammad Borshid said.
Availing of latest technological developments in counterfeiting, the suspects targeted people who lacked experience in currencies or banknotes, the Khaleej Times reported on Tuesday.
To nab the culprits, the CID contacted the seller through an undercover source, and struck an agreement with him to buy the fake Kuwaiti Dinars.
"The suspect came to the agreed location at the specified time along with the other four individuals, and they found themselves in the hands of the police," Rashid said.
The CID seized various equipment and papers with fake banknotes printed on them, along with thousands of currencies for Gulf, Arab, US, Asian and African countries, he said.
During interrogation, some of the suspects admitted to their involvement in the incident in exchange for a certain percentage, while others claimed that the fake notes did not belong to them and they were unaware that they were fake, he said.
All of the suspects were referred to the public prosecution, along with the seized items for further investigations, the release quoted Borshid as saying.
