How a single ₹500 counterfeit currency helped police crack a larger syndicate

The investigation began after a petty shopkeeper in Huliyar in Tumakuru district alerted the police about a counterfeit ₹500 note. | Photo credit: Image for representational purposes

In a sensational turn of events, the Tumakuru police arrested the counterfeit currency after tracing the origin of a single fake ₹500 note. The operation led to the arrest of six accused while the search is on for the kingpin.

The investigation began after a petty shopkeeper in Huliyar in Tumakuru district alerted the police about a counterfeit ₹500 note. An investigator in the case told The Hindu that earlier this week, two of the accused bought a packet of tobacco and paid her with a ₹500 note. Although she became suspicious of the currency, she accepted it and returned the change. A few minutes later, she called the Huliyar police and informed them that she had been handed a fake note.

“She noted down the registration number of the car in which the accused had arrived and informed us,” said a police officer. Subsequently, one police vehicle chased the accused’s car while the officers coordinated with the Chikkanayakanahalli police and alerted them to the vehicle on the way to their jurisdiction, police sources said.

Careful coordination between the two police stations eventually resulted in the capture of the duo. A senior officer overseeing the case said that 39 counterfeit currency notes of ₹500 were found during a search of the vehicle. They were subsequently taken into custody.

“Continuous interrogation led us to four more people residing in different districts. Finally, one of the prime accused was arrested in Bengaluru while another accused fled the scene,” the officer said.

Investigation revealed that the accused arrested in Bengaluru was working closely with the monarch and helping him to print counterfeit currency. The police suspect that the printing press is located somewhere in Bengaluru and are continuing to investigate.

Police sources said that the other pedestrians have not yet been traced. A kingpin and accused arrested in Bengaluru allegedly printed counterfeit currency and tied up foot soldiers to circulate the currency notes. Foot soldiers were recruited through a common network and supplied with counterfeit banknotes. They were then instructed to travel through the countryside using counterfeit currency.

Police are now tracking the monarch, whose arrest should reveal how the design was replicated and where the printing equipment is kept.

The names of the accused are not being released as the investigation is ongoing.

Published – 10 Jul 2026 23:57 IST