Pune’s Fake Currency Operation: 2,070 Fake Rs 500 Notes Worth Rs 10.35 Lakh Seized, Five Arrested

fake notes seized in Pune
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Pune, 17th January 2025: In a major breakthrough, Sahakarnagar police have successfully dismantled a fake currency racket, arresting five individuals and seizing counterfeit ₹500 notes with facevalue worth ₹10.35 lakh. A police team has also been dispatched to Ghaziabad to track down other members of the gang involved in the operation.

The arrested suspects include Nilesh Hiranand Virkar (33) from Chinchwad, Shahid Qureshi (25), Saifan Patel (26), and Afzal Shah (19), all residents of Navi Mumbai, and Shahfahad alias Sonu Feroz Ansari (22) from Palghar.

The police operation began when Sahakarnagar police officers Amol Pawar and Mahesh Mandlik, who were on routine patrol, noticed Nilesh acting suspiciously while walking hurriedly towards Swargate. Upon stopping and questioning him, police found a bundle of ₹500 notes hidden in his pocket. A total of 250 fake notes were seized.

During questioning, Nilesh revealed that he had obtained the counterfeit notes from Shahid, Saifan, and Afzal in Koparkhairane. This led to the arrest of the trio. Further investigation revealed the involvement of Shahfahad Ansari, who was also apprehended. The 2,070 fake notes of ₹500 worth ₹10.35 lakh was seized.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of Additional Police Commissioner Pravin Kumar Patil, with support from Deputy Commissioner Smartana Patil, Assistant Commissioner Rahul Aware, and Senior Police Inspector Chhagan Kapse. The team also included Assistant Inspector Sagar Patil, Assistant Sub-Inspector Bapu Khutwad, Police Constable Amol Pawar, Mahesh Mandlik, Kiran Kamble, Chandrakant Jadhav, Bajrang Pawar, Amit Padmale, Sagar Sutkar, Abhijit Walgude, Mahesh Bhagat Khandu Shinde and Yogesh Dhole carried out the said operation.