Punjab’s ongoing campaign to strengthen law and order under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann received a major breakthrough after the SAS Nagar Police exposed a sophisticated inter-state fake currency module, arresting two key suspects and recovering counterfeit and old currency amounting to ₹9.99 crore. The operation, carried out near Derabassi, underscores the state’s intensified drive to dismantle organized financial crimes that have defrauded people across multiple states. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed the arrests and said that this crackdown signals a clear warning to criminal groups exploiting unsuspecting citizens through high-value frauds.
The arrested individuals, identified as Sachin from Bharat Nagar in Kurukshetra and Gurdeep from Gurdev Nagar in Kurukshetra, were caught while travelling in a white Scorpio-N SUV. Police teams, acting on precise intelligence, intercepted their vehicle and recovered genuine old currency worth ₹11.05 lakh along with counterfeit currency valued at ₹9.88 crore. Investigators revealed that the accused used a deceptive system by placing a few genuine currency notes on top of bundles filled with high-quality fake notes, allowing them to mislead victims during financial exchanges. According to DGP Yadav, this method has enabled the accused to cheat individuals in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, indicating that the racket had been operating across state borders with considerable confidence.
The DGP said that a deeper technical investigation is underway, with police working to uncover the entire network behind the racket. He emphasized that the arrests mark only the beginning of a wider probe that aims to identify the suppliers, distributors and other affiliates involved in manufacturing and circulating fake currency. Given the scale of recovery and the interstate links, the police believe that the module was part of a larger criminal syndicate specializing in economic fraud.
Senior Superintendent of Police SAS Nagar, Harmandeep Hans, provided details about how the operation unfolded. Acting on intelligence regarding suspicious movements of two men linked to fake currency circulation, the district police formed special teams under the supervision of SP Rural Manpreet Singh and DSP Derabassi Bikramjit Singh Brar. A special checkpoint was set up near the PWD Rest House at Ghaggar Bridge on the Old Ambala–Kalka Highway. The teams, led by SHO Derabassi Sumit Maur and Anti-Narcotics Cell Incharge Malkit Singh, swiftly intercepted the suspects and recovered both genuine and counterfeit notes concealed inside the vehicle. Authorities noted that the suspects had been involved in several cheating cases and had a criminal background, making them repeat offenders in financial fraud.
Initial investigation suggests that the accused have defrauded a large number of people across Punjab and neighbouring states over the years. Their modus operandi remained simple yet deceptive: lure victims by promising large-scale currency exchanges or business deals, display bundles covered with genuine notes, and quickly execute transactions before the counterfeit layers were detected. Many of their victims realized the fraud only after the suspects had disappeared. Police believe that the duo may have connections with individuals specializing in printing and distributing counterfeit notes, as the seized specimens appear to be of high quality, designed to mislead unsuspecting citizens at first glance.
The Punjab Police expect more arrests in the coming days as interrogation continues and digital and forensic evidence is analyzed. With the recovery of such a large volume of fake currency, investigators anticipate that the racket operated through multiple channels and may have supplied counterfeit notes for various fraudulent financial schemes. An FIR under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at Derabassi Police Station, setting the stage for a comprehensive crackdown on the broader criminal network.
The incident also highlights the evolving nature of financial crime in India, where organized groups use increasingly elaborate techniques to cheat individuals and disrupt economic order. At a time when states are focusing on strengthening public safety and economic stability, Punjab’s successful operation sends a strong message that such criminal syndicates will be pursued aggressively. The Mann government’s emphasis on enforcement and vigilance has resulted in major breakthroughs across various sectors, and this bust adds significant momentum to the state’s mission of creating a safer and more secure environment for citizens.