The Karnataka Police has arrested six members of a gang involved in printing and circulating fake currency notes from Belagavi district, officials said on Wednesday. Officials also said that the gang was inspired by the Hindi web series 'Farzi'.
The arrested accused, identified as Anwar Yadawad, Saddam Yadalli, Ravi Hyagadi, Dundappa Onashenavi, Vittal Hosathotal, and Mallappa Kundali, were involved in producing fake notes with face values of Rs 100 and Rs 500.
The gang was arrested when police went to seize a car at Kadabagatti Gudda in Gokak town. Inside the car, authorities found as many as 305 fake Rs 100 notes and 6,792 Rs 500 notes.
An initial probe and interrogation of the accused revealed that the gang was printing the counterfeit currency at a house in Arabhavi, Mudalagi taluk, during the night.
A top cop, confirmed that the gang's modus operandi was similar to those depicted in the 'Farzi' web series, which had influenced their operations.
Bheemashankar Guled, the Belagavi SP, stated that fake currency notes, a printer, a screening board, paint, printing paper, and six mobile phones, all worth Rs 5,23,900, have been seized and a case has been registered at the Gokak police station.
"The gang allegedly exchanged Rs 5 lakh in fake currency for Rs 1 lakh in genuine currency. They operated in Bagalkot, Mahalingapura, Gokak, and Mudalagi," Guled said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway.
