Daijiworld Media Network - Pune

Pune, Jun 22: Shopkeepers and businessmen in Pune have been alerted to remain cautious while accepting Rs 500 currency notes after a fake currency racket was uncovered on the busy Dhole Patil Road area.

The Koregaon Park police arrested two persons for allegedly circulating counterfeit Rs 500 notes by using them for small purchases at shops. The accused were caught after alert shopkeepers noticed suspicious currency notes.

The arrested persons have been identified as Omprakash Mahavir Agrawal (32), a resident of Tingrenagar in Vishrantwadi, and Mausam Narendra Mishra (36), a resident of Lohegaon.

According to police, the incident took place on Friday, June 19, around 3 pm at Malhar Tea Shop on Dhole Patil Road. The two accused allegedly entered the shop, purchased cigarettes and handed over a Rs 500 note to the shopkeeper.

A staff member at the shop reportedly found the note suspicious and checked it, following which doubts arose that it was counterfeit. The shopkeeper immediately informed the police control room.

During the investigation, police found that the accused had allegedly carried out a similar act at a nearby shop, Unique Shop, before visiting Malhar Tea Shop, where they had purchased cigarettes using another fake Rs 500 note.

A team from Koregaon Park police station reached the spot within minutes and took both accused into custody. Police also seized counterfeit notes from them.

Police are now investigating the source of the fake currency, the number of such notes in circulation and whether a larger network is involved in the racket.

The incident has prompted authorities to advise citizens and business owners to carefully verify Rs 500 notes before accepting them.