Six arrested in fake currency racket inspired by Shahid Kapoor’s ‘Farzi’ web series
Six arrested in fake currency racket inspired by Shahid Kapoor's 'Farzi' web series
Police seize counterfeit notes and equipment worth Rs 5.23 lakh from gang operating in Belagavi district.
In a case reportedly inspired by Shahid Kapoor’s web series ‘Farzi’, Karnataka Police arrested six people. They were from Belagavi district. The gang’s operations were centered around Arabhavi, and Mudalagi, mirroring activities depicted in the series.
On July 3, Karnataka Police detained these six individuals for their involvement in counterfeiting and distributing fake Indian currency. The arrested individuals are Anwar Yadawad, Saddam Yadalli, Ravi Hyagadi, Dundappa Onashenavi, Vittal Hosathotal, and Mallappa Kundali. The gang was notorious for producing counterfeit notes in denominations of Rs 100 and Rs 500.
The racket was exposed when police intercepted a car in Kadabagatti Gudda, Gokak town, and discovered 305 counterfeit Rs 100 notes and 6,792 Rs 500 notes inside. Further investigation revealed that the gang operated their counterfeiting activities from a house in Arabhavi, Mudalagi taluka, primarily during nighttime hours.
Multiple cases of circulation of fake currency in the Karnataka and Maharashtra border regions have been reported in the past, and the National Investigation Agency has taken up several cases. The police had information about the gang even before the Lok Sabha elections but couldn’t track their movements due to poll duty.
Anwar was caught after the car he was driving met with an accident under the Gokak rural police limits on June 29. The police interrogated Anwar and found 305 fake notes and 6,792 toy notes inside the vehicle. Subsequently, the other accused were picked up.
Superintendent of Police, Belagavi, said that the accused confessed that the fake notes of Rs 4 lakh denomination were exchanged for original notes of Rs 1 lakh. These notes were circulated in Gokak, Mahalingapur, Mudhol, Yaragatti, Hidkal Dam, Belagavi, and Dharwad.
Belagavi SP Bheemashankar Guled disclosed that the police seized counterfeit currency notes, a printer, a screen board, paint, printing paper, and six mobile phones valued at Rs 5,23,900. The seizure led to a case being registered at the Gokak police station. Guled stated, “The gang purportedly exchanged Rs 5 lakh in counterfeit currency for Rs 1 lakh in genuine currency. They operated in Bagalkot, Mahalingapura, Gokak, and Mudalagi.”
This isn’t the first instance of a crime inspired by ‘Farzi.’ In October 2023, Mumbai Police arrested Karan Shah for dealing in 1,000 fraudulent passes for a dandiya event, inspired by the series.
‘Farzi’, created by Raj & DK for Prime Video, is a black comedy crime thriller featuring Vijay Sethupathi, Shahid Kapoor, Kay Kay Menon, Raashii Khanna, and Bhuvan Arora in pivotal roles. The series follows a disillusioned artist’s journey into counterfeiting money.
