The New Nation - Internet Edition

Mamunur Rashid

Due to the failure of the intelligence agencies fake currency notes are flowing into the country with impunity.

High government officials showed concern over the rise in counterfeit currency notes smuggled from across the borders.

The smuggled amount is generally small and the chances of counterfeits being detected in remote villages are always less. The quantity of fake notes pouring in from India is larger and the quality much finer than those coming from other countries. The fake notes are mostly of Tk 500 and Tk 100 denominations.

Many of the defence personnel along the international boarders reportedly received fake currency notes as part of their salaries-money withdrawn from the banks.

As a result, panic has spread along the boarder areas and the rest of the country and customers at the bank counters are spending much time trying to find out fake currency notes after withdrawal.

The Detective Branch (DB) of police detained many persons carrying counterfeit notes amounting to Tk 10 lakh this month. The police suspect they are part of a bigger gang, including women engaged in the circulation of mostly fake currency notes of Tk 500 and Tk 100 denominations.

The gang uses minor boys and girls in buying food and other stuff with the counterfeit currency at railway stations, launch and bus terminals with the promise of payment of commission on the currency they circulate in the market.

Not long ago, the RAB arrested two young women red-handed from the Khilgaon area in the city, while circulating fake currency. They were arrested after a shop owner, from whom they tried to purchase the goods using fake notes, complained to the police.

During investigation, the police discovered that those notes were smuggled from India for circulation.

A senior police official unwilling to disclose his name told the New Nation that lack of cooperation among the intelligence agencies had led to the spread of fake currency notes in the country.