New Delhi Aug 8 (IANS) The National Investigation (NIA) on Wednesday said it had seized fake notes in Rs 2 000 denomination with a total face value of nearly Rs 7 lakh in Bengaluru Karnataka and arrested four persons including a woman.
The NIA Mumbai branch raided Aluru on Tuesday following a tip-off and recovered Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a face value of Rs 4.34 lakh from M.G. Raju Gangadhar Kolkar and Sajjad Ali.
"We along with police raided BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) Layout in Aluru following information that a deal in FICN is likely to take place. The three accused were found in possession of 217 FICN of Rs 2 000 denomination."
NIA Spokesperson Alok Mittal told IANS that the seized notes were similar to genuine Rs 2 000 currency and it was difficult for a lay person to differentiate.
"It is suspected that the counterfeit notes have been printed and smuggled from across the border " said the official adding that another NIA raid on Wednesday led to seizure of FICN with a face value of Rs 2.5 lakh from a woman resident of Srirampur in Bengaluru.
The officials said an FIR was lodged with Bengaluru Police and the smugglers are being interrogated about their handlers and suppliers.

--IANS rak/tsb/sed