Ensure exemplary punishment for fake currency makers

Holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims, is ahead. Therefore, Eid markets become filled with huge crowds at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Side by side, selling and buying is happening profusely in the footpaths. Meanwhile, fake currency makers have become very active across the country including the capital Dhaka ahead of Eid. In general, transaction of money increases during Eid. And fake currency-making gangs take the advantage of it. They become desperate to counterfeit currency day by day.

According to news reports, there are over a hundred fake currency-making factories across the country. So far, law enforcers have found around half a hundred fake currency-making factories during their regular operations. Around 30 forger gangs of local and foreign countries are making fake notes in these factories. The gangs use computer technology and chemicals for making fake notes of Tk 100, 500 and 1,000 denominations at different places of the capital. The gangs work at different places including Narayanganj, Savar, Gazipur, Tongi and Keraniganj. They spread the counterfeit note across the country from these places.

Recently, Detective Branch (DB) of police has detained ten alleged fake currency makers during drives at different areas in Dhaka. Printed fake notes worth Taka 1 crore, raw materials, equipments and accessories for making fake currency have been recovered from the detainees. In a press briefing, DMP said the gang had plans to release fake notes worth Taka 5 crore ahead of Eid. It has been possible to detain the fake currency-making gang before they release the notes.

Basically, Dhaka is the hub for counterfeiting notes but the network of fake currency-making gang is well spread across the country. Making fake notes is not stopping although many members of the gangs are caught at the hands of lay enforcers every year. Fake currency makers become very active during Eid. Fake notes are spread in different markets across the country before Eid. Ordinary people are facing harassment due to the counterfeit notes. Many businessmen and buyers are being deceived for failing to identify counterfeit notes. In many cases, it is seen that ATM booths of many commercial banks are loaded with fake notes.

The economy of the country will be damaged if it is not possible to prevent the gangs from making fake notes. Action should be taken against the people involved in counterfeiting notes. Side by side, strict law should be introduced to stop this menace. People should be made aware of the difference between the counterfeited notes and the original ones. Most of the people are not able to identify the fake note. Awareness should be raised among people in this regard.

Those who are involved in making counterfeit notes are enemy to the country. The government will have to be strict to stop this crime. Exemplary punishment should be ensured for the real culprits. Commercial banks can take steps in this regard. Bank authorities should be conscious so that fake notes cannot be loaded with ATM booths. There should be a machine identifying counterfeit notes in shopping malls and its use should be encouraged.


risingbd/Dhaka/June 11, 2018/Ali Nowsher/AI