Counterfeit currency racket busted in Hyderabad, ₹2.91 lakh fake notes seized

The seized items displayed during the press conference on Wednesday. Three men were found printing and circulating fake Indian currency notes in Hyderabad by the Commissioner’s Task Force, Shamshabad Zone team, and the Balapur police. Police seized ₹2.91 lakh in counterfeit notes, besides equipment and material used to prepare them.The accused were identified as Ramavath Ramu alias Mohammed, 36, a food delivery worker, his relative Ramavath Mothilal, 35, a bike taxi rider, and Ramavath Gandhi, 19, an autorickshaw driver. All three are residents of Chinthal Thanda in Vaddipatla. Another alleged associate, Sudheer John Chela alias Vamshi of Nagole, Bandlaguda, is absconding, police said.According to police, Ramu and Mothilal learnt how to prepare counterfeit currency by watching videos on YouTube and Instagram. “Mothilal later came across a notification on YouTube about making counterfeit currency. A phone number displayed in the notification was allegedly used to contact a person who explained the materials required, including a colour printer, scanner and bond paper,” explained Shamshabad Zone Task Force Inspector D. Krishna Mohan.The accused allegedly purchased a colour printer and other material and began preparing fake notes. Police said they also attempted to replicate the watermark on genuine currency notes.The counterfeit notes were allegedly circulated in small quantities at wine shops and vegetable markets, particularly at night. Police also suspect that Gandhi was being used to circulate the fake notes in the market.The seizure included 437 counterfeit ₹500 notes, 648 counterfeit ₹100 notes and 39 counterfeit ₹200 notes, with a total face value of ₹2,91,100. Police also seized four genuine ₹500 notes and four genuine ₹100 notes, allegedly used as samples for photocopying.The accused and the seized property were handed over to the Balapur police for further investigation.Ramu was previously been booked in a 2022 case at the Nalgonda Women’s Police Station under provisions of the IPC and Dowry Prohibition Act, police said. Published - September 03, 2026 12:14 am IST