Criminals Inspired From Bollywood Movie Arrested After Fake Currency Racket Busted in Surat

A fake currency manufacturing unit operating out of an online garment store office was dismantled by police in Surat city on Saturday, leading to the arrest of four individuals. The operation was uncovered by the Surat Special Operations Group (SOG), who conducted a raid based on a tip-off.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeep Nakum reported that the accused were allegedly inspired by the popular web series "Farzi," starring actor Shahid Kapoor,  which follows a small-time con artist who amassed wealth through counterfeiting currency notes.

The SOG officials raided the office located in the Sarthana locality, apprehending three suspects—Rahul Chauhan, Pavan Banode, and Bhavesh Rathod—during the operation. They recovered counterfeit currency with a face value of Rs 1.20 lakh, along with sophisticated printing equipment, including foil paper, color printers, printing ink, and a lamination machine.

"The SOG team kept a close watch on the office and people working there and conducted the raid when the three accused met to print fake currency notes there," the police release stated.

A fourth suspect was arrested later, bringing the total number of apprehensions to four. The group had been renting office space under the guise of operating an online garment business while engaging in the illegal production of counterfeit currency.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if there are any additional accomplices or further operations tied to this counterfeit ring.