Muhid Hasan :
As the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr approaches, marking the culmination of Ramadan’s sacred observances, communities across the country immerse themselves in festive preparations.
However, amidst the vibrant tapestry of celebrations, a shadow looms large due to the nefarious activities of currency counterfeiting gangs .
With financial transactions and shopping endeavours reaching a crescendo, these unscrupulous groups seize the opportunity to infiltrate markets with fake notes, threatening the integrity of economic exchanges and the sanctity of the festive spirit.
Following the apprehension of numerous currency forgers in recent weeks, law enforcement officials have sounded the alarm regarding the heightened activity of counterfeit currency groups in anticipation of Eid-ul-Fitr.
On March 7th, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) made a significant breakthrough, arresting four individuals in the Rupnagar area of the capital with counterfeit notes totaling Tk 20 lakh.
It has come to light that approximately 10-12 such counterfeit gangs, comprising around 100 members, are predominantly operating in Dhaka and other urban centres, targeting both cattle traders and shoppers alike.
According to data from the RAB headquarters, over the past two years, 121 individuals have been apprehended in connection with currency forgery rings, underscoring the pervasive nature of the issue.
Law enforcement agencies have highlighted that while the production of counterfeit notes occurs year-round, the period leading up to Eid witnesses a surge in their circulation, fueled by the increased spending associated with festive shopping.
Notably, counterfeiters prioritise the replication of Tk 500 and Tk 1,000 denominations, capitalising on the heightened financial transactions during Eid festivities.
Furthermore, authorities have raised concerns over the use of social media platforms, particularly Facebook, by counterfeit currency syndicates to peddle their illicit wares.
This digital outreach expands their reach and facilitates the clandestine sale of forged notes, exacerbating the challenge faced by law enforcement in curbing their activities.
Amidst these revelations, it becomes imperative for law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts to dismantle these counterfeit networks and safeguard the integrity of financial transactions during this festive period.
Collaborative measures, stringent surveillance, and public awareness campaigns are essential in thwarting the nefarious designs of counterfeiters and preserving the sanctity of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.
Amidst the festive fervour preceding Eid-ul-Fitr, Bangladesh finds itself grappling with the pervasive threat of counterfeit currency syndicates, operating with audacity and ingenuity.
Recent crackdowns by law enforcement agencies have unveiled a disconcerting reality – a proliferation of money counterfeiting groups, poised to exploit the bustling markets and heightened transactions characteristic of the season.
It was known that the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) apprehended four individuals from Dhaka’s Rupnagar area, seizing a staggering sum of fake currency totaling Tk 20 lakh on March 7.
However, this was just a fraction of the elaborate network at play. With approximately 10-12 such gangs, comprising nearly 100 members, primarily active in Dhaka and other key cities, the scale of the operation is alarming.
These counterfeiters, preying on the influx of shoppers and cattle traders, manufacture fake notes, particularly denominations of Tk 500 and Tk 1,000, during the Eid shopping spree.
Social media platforms, notably Facebook, have become fertile ground for the dissemination of counterfeit currency.
Pages such as Taka Chai, Jalnote, and Real Sales brazenly advertise the sale of fake notes, attracting unwitting buyers into their deceitful web.
The modus operandi of these counterfeit currency networks is intricate, with the distribution process spanning multiple tiers.
Craftsmen, often referred to as ‘mint owners’, produce the counterfeit notes, which are then acquired by dealers situated across various districts, divisions, and border areas.
Subsequently, retail representatives at the field level facilitate the circulation of fake currency, surreptitiously inserting it into legitimate transactions, ranging from restaurants to textiles, in bustling urban hubs.
Law enforcement agencies, cognizant of the gravity of the situation, have intensified their efforts to curb the spread of counterfeit money.
The Detective Branch’s special teams, bolstered by the cyber unit, are actively engaged in apprehending fake note dealers.
Similarly, Bangladesh Bank, in collaboration with law enforcement authorities, has issued directives to banks and the public alike, urging heightened vigilance and precautionary measures against counterfeit currency.
As Eid draws near, the call for awareness and caution resonates louder than ever.