A 21-year-old man who previously worked at a local printing press has been arrested by Bhopal Police for allegedly producing and circulating large quantities of counterfeit ₹500 notes. The accused, identified as Vivek Yadav, was apprehended after police received information that he was moving around the Nizamuddin area with fake currency.
A police team intercepted Yadav and recovered 23 high-quality counterfeit ₹500 notes from his possession. Officers said the seized notes were so convincingly printed that they could easily pass off as real currency during routine transactions. Following the arrest, a search of his residence in Narela Shankari led to a major seizure of materials used in his illegal operation. Police recovered 428 counterfeit notes with a face value exceeding ₹2.25 lakh, along with an array of printing tools, including a desktop computer, inkjet printer, special paper, glue, screen plates, a light box, and precision cutters used for shaping the notes.
Investigators revealed that the accused had no prior criminal record but had acquired note-making techniques by watching online videos. His experience at a printing press helped him understand machinery, ink composition, and cutting methods required for counterfeiting. Officials said he purchased special textured paper online and manually added features such as watermarks and imitation security threads to increase the authenticity of the fake notes.
During interrogation, Yadav admitted that he had already circulated fake notes worth between ₹5 lakh and ₹6 lakh. He reportedly used a simple method to introduce the counterfeit currency into the market: visiting small retail shops, purchasing inexpensive items, and receiving genuine change in return. Police believe he operated alone and had been running the racket for several months without attracting suspicion.
Authorities are now examining whether any of the counterfeit notes he circulated have been detected elsewhere in the state. Police have also sent samples of the seized notes for forensic examination to determine the sophistication of the materials and printing techniques used.
The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code related to counterfeiting and remains in police custody as investigations continue. Officials say further arrests are not ruled out if links to suppliers of specialised materials or potential accomplices emerge.
