Vegetable seller caught printing fake notes in Gujarat after watching Instagram reel, police seize more than 200 notes

A vegetable vendor in Gujarat’s Rajkot has been arrested for allegedly printing and circulating counterfeit currency after he came across an Instagram reel showing how fake notes could be made and later received instructions through Telegram, police told reporters. The Rajkot City Crime Branch and Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested the man during a raid at his residence and recovered more than 200 counterfeit notes along with printing equipment and other materials valued at Rs 65,500.

The accused has been identified as Kishan Solanki, a resident of the Mandadungar area of Rajkot. Rajkot DCP (Crime) told India Today that Solanki was allegedly producing fake Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes at home.

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Police recover 219 counterfeit notes and printing equipment

Acting on specific information, a joint team of the Crime Branch and SOG raided Solanki’s residence and arrested him, police said.

Investigators recovered 216 counterfeit Rs 100 notes and three fake Rs 500 notes from the premises. The search also led to the seizure of a CPU, monitor, two printers, a laminator-heater machine, butter paper and sheets carrying printed Rs 100 denominations.

According to police, the total value of the seized equipment and material was estimated at Rs 65,500.

The recovery has prompted investigators to examine the extent of the alleged operation and determine how many counterfeit notes may have been produced before Solanki’s arrest.

Vendor allegedly turned to fake currency after falling into debt

During preliminary questioning, Solanki reportedly told police that he worked as a vegetable vendor and had accumulated debt because of his low income.

Police said the alleged counterfeit operation began after Solanki encountered an Instagram reel demonstrating how Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes could be produced. He subsequently contacted the person behind the account and continued communicating with them through Telegram.

According to investigators, Solanki learned the process of printing counterfeit currency through these exchanges.

Police said the accused told them that he had given the person who trained him counterfeit notes worth Rs 10,000. In return, the trainer allegedly paid him Rs 3,000.

Investigators are now searching for the person who allegedly provided the instructions and are probing that individual’s role in the case.

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Fake Rs 100 notes allegedly used for small purchases

The investigation indicates that Solanki allegedly did not distribute the counterfeit currency in large quantities to other people. Instead, police said he personally put the notes into circulation by using them for small purchases at different locations.

According to the preliminary probe, around 40 counterfeit Rs 100 notes were allegedly circulated by Solanki over a period of four to five months.

Police said he also used the recently concluded Janmashtami fair to pass off the fake notes while buying low-value items. Investigators suspect that Rs 100 notes may have been selected because smaller transactions could attract less scrutiny from vendors.

The alleged circulation of the counterfeit currency is now a major part of the investigation as officers seek to identify where the notes were used and whether any reached areas beyond those already identified.

Three-day police remand granted

A court has granted three days of police remand for Solanki.

During the remand period, investigators are expected to question him about the quantity of counterfeit currency he allegedly produced and circulated, the source of the printing equipment and his communications with the person who is accused of training him.

Police are also examining whether anyone else was involved in the alleged operation and whether counterfeit notes used by Solanki reached other parts of Rajkot.

The investigation is continuing as authorities work to establish the full scale of the alleged counterfeit currency network and identify any additional people connected to it.