Fake notes swamping 8 Upazilas

The central bank has identified eight Upazilas – mostly in border areas – where counterfeit notes are on rise.

The most affected Upazilas are Chakoria of Cox’s Bazar, Ishwardi of Pabna, Ashashuni of Satkhira, Kamalganj of Moulvibazar, Babuganj of Barisal, Ranisankail of Thakurgaon, Gafargaon of Mymensingh, and Khetlal of Joypurhat.

Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Dasgupta Asim Kumar told bdnews24.com that these Upazilas had been categorised as risky on the basis of the amount of fake banknotes seized.

The central bank had directed all its branches to inform the headquarters about such seizures after a huge number of fakes had been found in the Khetlal Upazila.

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“We’ve identified eight Upazilas which are particularly vulnerable,” Kumar added.

He, however, declined to disclose the amount of the seizures made in these places.

Counterfeit notes are taken either to Bangladesh Bank or to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police for examination.

A huge pile such notes had been brought from these eight Upazilas to the central bank and the CID for scrutiny.

The central bank official said workshops were being held in these Upazilas to raise people’s awareness.

Such workshops have already been held in Khetlal and Ashashuni Upazilas.

The printing of fake notes gets into overdrive before the two Eid festivals when people go on a shopping and spending spree.

The fake-currency syndicates become overly active ahead of the two festivals to rake in real money by exchanging forged notes by duping ordinary people, especially cattle traders.

Though fake note dealers are often nabbed the kingpins seem to evade the dragnet.

The Tk 500 and Tk 1,000 denominations happen to be the forgers’ favourite.