The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has uncovered a large counterfeit currency operation, seizing fake notes worth ₹2.38 crore and arresting seven individuals connected to the racket. Authorities reported that ₹2.10 crore of the fake currency was recovered in Ahmedabad, while an additional ₹28 lakh was seized during a subsequent raid in Surat.
According to police officials, the accused were intercepted while transporting the counterfeit notes from Surat to Ahmedabad in a white Toyota Fortuner. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Crime Branch teams had already positioned themselves in advance. The vehicle was stopped near Amraiwadi, between metro pillars 29 and 30, where a search revealed bundles of fake ₹500 notes concealed inside a white plastic box placed within a black bag.
All occupants of the vehicle, including a woman, were detained at the scene. Investigators noted that the counterfeit notes carried varying serial numbers, suggesting that the operation was extensive and well-organised.
Further inquiry led the police to a residential property in Surat’s Sarthana area, where a printing unit for producing fake currency had been set up. In coordination with Surat Police, a raid at the location resulted in the seizure of counterfeit notes worth ₹28 lakh, along with printing machinery, ink, and other raw materials used in the process.
During interrogation, officials identified Pradeep Jotangia, a yoga instructor associated with the Satyam Foundation in Surat, as one of the key figures involved. The accused reportedly operated the racket for around six months, selling counterfeit currency at approximately 25 percent of its face value.
The primary accused, Mukesh Thummar, is believed to have established the printing unit at his residence. Police stated that he procured specialised green security thread paper marked with “RBI” and “Bharat” from Chinese suppliers through online platforms such as Alibaba, making payments via digital methods. Thummar, who possessed skills in graphic editing software like Photoshop, allegedly used advanced design techniques to replicate currency notes. Investigators also revealed that the group utilised AI-based tools, including ChatGPT, to enhance the authenticity of the fake notes.
The individuals arrested have been identified as Pradeep Jotangia, Mukesh Thummar, Ashok Mawani, Ramesh Balar, Divyesh Rana, Bharat Kakadiya, and one woman, all residents of Surat. The Fortuner used for transporting the counterfeit currency was registered to Jotangia and bore a Ministry of AYUSH board, which raised additional suspicion regarding the group’s methods.
In total, authorities have recovered approximately 42,000 counterfeit ₹500 notes from Ahmedabad and 5,600 such notes from Surat. Other seized items include security thread paper rolls, an electric press machine, a currency counting machine, printers, a laptop, paper-cutting equipment, and ink supplies.
The Crime Branch has now expanded its investigation to track down other members of the network, particularly those in Ahmedabad who were expected to receive the ₹2.10 crore consignment. Officials are also examining whether similar operations are active in other regions, especially since the raw materials were imported from China under the guise of ordinary stationery goods.
