Police in Bangladesh’s Gopalganj district have detained a man accused of attempting to deposit a large amount of counterfeit currency at a local bank branch, officials confirmed on Thursday. The suspect, identified as Abdur Rahim Fakir, was apprehended at the Muksudpur branch of Pubali Bank after bank staff detected irregularities in the banknotes he presented.
The incident occurred around midday on Thursday, 12 March, at the bank’s branch in Muksudpur upazila, a sub-district of Gopalganj. According to police sources, the suspect arrived at the bank intending to deposit 90,000 Bangladeshi taka into a bank account. The amount consisted of ninety banknotes, each with a denomination of 1,000 taka.
Bank officials said the attempted transaction raised suspicion when the cashier noticed inconsistencies in the appearance and texture of the notes during routine verification. After examining the notes more closely, the cashier concluded that the currency was counterfeit. The matter was immediately reported to the branch manager, who instructed staff to discreetly prevent the suspect from leaving the premises while law enforcement authorities were notified.
Police officers from Muksudpur Police Station subsequently arrived at the bank and detained the suspect before taking him into custody for questioning.
Authorities identified the detainee as Abdur Rahim Fakir, the son of Md Khokon Fakir and a resident of Gobindapur village in Muksudpur upazila. Investigators are currently attempting to determine the origin of the counterfeit currency and whether the suspect is linked to a broader network involved in the distribution of fake banknotes.
Counterfeit currency remains a persistent challenge for financial institutions in Bangladesh and other countries, as criminal groups occasionally attempt to introduce forged notes into the banking system through deposits or retail transactions. Banks therefore maintain strict verification procedures, including visual inspection, ultraviolet detection, and manual scrutiny by trained staff.
The key details of the incident are summarised below:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Abdur Rahim Fakir |
| Father’s Name | Md Khokon Fakir |
| Residence | Gobindapur village, Muksudpur upazila, Gopalganj |
| Location of Incident | Pubali Bank, Muksudpur Branch |
| Date of Incident | 12 March |
| Counterfeit Notes | 90 notes |
| Denomination | 1,000 taka each |
| Total Amount | 90,000 taka |
| Arresting Authority | Muksudpur Police Station |
Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun of Muksudpur Police Station confirmed the arrest and said that preparations were under way to file a formal case under relevant laws governing counterfeit currency offences.
He added that once the case is officially recorded, the suspect will be shown as arrested on Friday and produced before a court. Following the hearing, he is expected to be sent to jail custody pending further investigation.
Police officials emphasised that inquiries are continuing to determine whether additional individuals may be involved and to trace the source of the forged banknotes. Authorities have also urged members of the public and banking professionals to remain vigilant when handling large cash transactions, as early detection plays a crucial role in preventing the circulation of counterfeit currency within the financial system.