Counterfeit Notes Seized in Dhaka

A young man identified as Opu Khondokar was detained by members of the public in the Science Laboratory area of the capital after he allegedly attempted to pay a rickshaw fare using counterfeit currency. Police later arrived at the scene, questioned the suspect and took him into custody for further investigation.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred at approximately 10:00 pm on Saturday near the busy Science Laboratory intersection, an area known for heavy pedestrian movement and commercial activity. The matter quickly drew attention after a rickshaw puller became suspicious while receiving several banknotes from the passenger.

Local residents said the rickshaw driver initially noticed irregularities in the appearance and texture of the notes when the accused produced them to settle the fare. His concerns prompted nearby pedestrians and students to inspect the currency more closely. After examining the notes, they concluded that the bills were counterfeit and restrained the suspect before informing the authorities.

An eyewitness named Hasib said he was returning home when he observed the commotion from a distance. He noted that the notes appeared unusual even before he approached the scene. Upon closer inspection, he heard the rickshaw driver objecting to the money, insisting that the notes did not appear genuine.

Hasib added that several local residents, along with two students from Dhaka College, assisted in verifying the suspicious currency. Once they became convinced that the notes were fake, the crowd prevented the suspect from leaving and contacted the police.

During preliminary questioning by locals, the accused reportedly claimed that he had received the money from a mobile financial service shop. However, witnesses stated that inconsistencies in his explanation and behaviour further increased public suspicion.

At around 10:30 pm, officers from New Market Police Station arrived at the location and searched the suspect’s wallet. Police recovered four counterfeit Tk500 notes and ten counterfeit Tk200 notes, with a combined face value of Tk4,000.

Several local residents, including Dhaka College students Noornobi and Mihir, assisted the police during the operation. The suspect was later handed over to Sub-Inspector Dipayan Halder for legal proceedings.

The officer-in-charge of New Market Police Station, AKM Mahfuzul Haque, confirmed that the suspect had allegedly attempted to use fake currency to pay a transport fare. He said members of the public acted promptly after becoming suspicious and subsequently alerted the police. Authorities seized the recovered notes and began further investigation into the possible source of the counterfeit currency.

Financial crime analysts say counterfeit notes continue to pose a serious threat to ordinary citizens and small-scale traders in Bangladesh. Daily wage earners, rickshaw pullers and small shopkeepers are often the most vulnerable because they may lack the experience or equipment needed to detect forged banknotes immediately.

Experts also warn that counterfeit currency networks can undermine public confidence in cash transactions and create financial losses for low-income individuals who unknowingly accept fake notes. Although law enforcement agencies regularly conduct drives against counterfeit syndicates, specialists believe stronger surveillance at the source level and greater public awareness campaigns are necessary to curb the circulation of forged currency.

Details of Counterfeit Notes Recovered

Police said further legal action would depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation, including efforts to identify whether the suspect had any connection to an organised counterfeit currency network operating in the capital.