As the holy festival of Eid-ul-Fitr approaches, the circulation of counterfeit currency has once again become rampant in Jhenaidah and neighbouring districts. Criminal syndicates are exploiting the surge in market activity, distributing fake banknotes through various means. Small and medium-sized businesses are particularly vulnerable to these scams.
In one recent incident at the Paura Chattar area of Jhenaidah town, fruit trader Kawsar Ali fell victim to such deception. He recounted that, just before Iftar, two young men arrived on a motorcycle and purchased fruits worth approximately 2,500 taka. Upon receiving the payment, Ali discovered that both 1,000-taka notes were counterfeit. He later realised that the buyers had deliberately used fake currency to make the purchase.
Local sources reveal that the increased cash flow during the Eid season provides counterfeiters an ideal opportunity to operate. The quality of these fake notes is so sophisticated that they are extremely difficult for ordinary citizens to detect.
According to the district Detective Branch (DB) police, counterfeit currency operations are no longer confined to physical transactions. The criminal networks have expanded to digital platforms, creating hundreds of Facebook and YouTube pages to advertise fake notes. In many cases, these notes are delivered to buyers across the country via courier services.
Investigations indicate that one lakh taka in counterfeit notes is sold for just 20,000–25,000 taka. The syndicates supply denominations ranging from 100 to 1,000 taka, targeting everyday businesses that are less likely to scrutinise every note carefully.
Aspect Details Counterfeit rate 1 lakh taka in fake notes sold for 20–25 thousand taka Most common denominations 500 and 1,000 taka notes Distribution channels Social media and courier services Primary targets Small and medium-sized businesses Experts warn that the lure of quick profit is drawing even some college and university students into these illegal activities. With increased spending on clothing, food items, and other essentials during Eid, marketplaces and bazaars are prime targets. Fraudsters exploit the busy and hurried environment, often using higher-denomination notes to maximise their gains.
Mostafigur Rahman, a textile retailer on KP Basu Road, Jhenaidah, reported a similar incident. A customer bought two saris worth 7,000 taka, paying in brand-new notes. Upon later verification, he found that 4,000 taka of the total amount was counterfeit.
Md. Liakat Hossain, Assistant Professor of Forensic Science at Jashore University of Science and Technology, said that during national festivals, the use of fake notes rises sharply. “Criminal networks primarily target small and medium-sized merchants, who often cannot thoroughly check each note amid the festival rush,” he explained.
Bank officials recommend looking for watermarks, security threads, and colour-changing inks to identify counterfeit currency. However, during the hectic Eid season, extra vigilance is crucial.
Law enforcement agencies have intensified monitoring, with cyber teams actively tracking online advertisements for counterfeit notes. Authorities have already identified several fraudulent networks and plan to launch operations soon to bring the perpetrators to justice.
