COX'S BAZAR, June 23: More than hundred members of six fake currency rackets have become active in the district town ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.
Their activities are not only limited to the district town but in remote areas also.
Though the law-enforcing agencies have remained alert in this connection, the culprits become active during any chance. In this connection, Bangladesh Bank has cautioned the law enforcers and other scheduled banks to remain alert.
While asked, Police Super of Cox's Bazar Dr AKM Iqbal Hossen said, police are alert and arresting the culprits.
Commander of RAB-7, Cox's Bazar CPC-2 Major Ruhul Amin said, "RAB has arrested several gangs before and sent them to jail. We are still monitoring the situation. If any fake currency is found, RAB will take prompt actions. But, still no big allegation of fake currency has been found."
Public Prosecutor of Cox's Bazar Court Momtaz Ahmed said, "Most of the fake currency cases are under trial year after year. As a result, the accused secure bail from the court and after coming out of jail, get involved in crimes again."
Bangladesh Bank sources said, to prevent the activities of fake currency rackets during the Ramadan and before Eid, they have cautioned the law enforcing agencies and scheduled banks. In this connection, a circular has been sent to the banks, the sources added.
Police sources said, the fake currency rackets are active in more than 50 spots of the town including at New Market, Coral Reef, A Salam Market, Super Market, Samabay Super Market, Municipality Market, Hawkers Market, Firoza Market, Fazal Market, Burmese Market, Abu Centre, Shafiq Centre, Bilkis Market, See Queen Market, Bazarghata, Boro Bazar, Panbazar Road, Agriculture Office Road, Kalatoli, and Lal Dighir Par.
According to field sources, during this year's Eid, the rackets might spread Tk 50 lakh fake currency notes.
Though more than hundred members of fake currency gangs are active in the town, police have no list of the members. Besides markets, the rackets are also active in ATM booths.
Due to perfect design, it has now become hard to detach fake currency from the original one. Police said, most of the members of the fake currency gangs are Rohingyas and adolescents.
Meanwhile, Ukhia police arrested three people with Tk 5,000 fake notes on January 22 last. The arrested are: a Rohingya youth Md Selim alias Gura Mia, 25, son of late Rashid Ahmad and Md Imtiaz, 20, son of Ismail, of B Block under Rohingya slum near Ukhia humanitarian shelter, and Jabed, 27, son of Md Hossen, of Pankhali village under Chhila union in Teknaf upazila.
Besides, RAB members arrested one Sharmin Akhter, 20, wife of Md Abu Hanif, of Ichhakhali area under Rangunia upazila of Chittagong district along with Tk 39,000 fake currency from Cox's Bazar town on January 23 last.
Earlier, police arrested one Rafiq, 50, of Kalatali Chandrima area from College Gate area under Jhilongja union in Sadar upazila with Tk 1.20 lakh fake currency notes, Monirul Islam, 33, son of late Dudu Mia, of Nolbonia village under Palongkhali union in Ukhia upazila with Tk 4.43 lakh fake currency from Link Road area of the district town, Md Didarul Alam, 20, son of Nurul Alam, of Balukhali Purba Para under Ukhia upazila with Tk 12,000 fake currency from Teknaf upazila, Khaleda Begum, 30, wife of Siraj Mia, of Digliapalong village under Rajapalong union with Tk 1.03 lakh fake currency from Kotbazar Station, and Shafi and Nurbanu of Cox's Bazar BSCIC area from Cox's Bazar Trade Fair.
Besides, RAB arrested Abdur Rahim, 25, son of Ali Hossen, of Baharchhara area with Tk 13,000 fake currency from Fire Station area of the district town, Halima and Enam, of BSCIC area from Kalatoli, Md Nurul Afsar alias Sona Mia, 33, son of Md Abdul Mannan, of Uttar Jaliapara under Teknaf upazila, with yaba and fake currency, Rehena Akhter, 35, wife of Nur Hossen Mirji, with yaba and Tk 30,000 fake currency.
The sources said, as the customers do not get notes as per their demand, so the fake currency rackets take this chance and spread the fake currency.
Centring feud over fake currency, untoward activities also happen very often.
A grocery shop owner Shah Alam at Boro Bazar of the district town said, "Very often, I get fake notes. For hurry in the business, I cannot detect the fake notes always. As a result, I have to suffer loss."
A businessman Abdul Karim at Hawkers Market said, "At least 10 days before the Eid, the fake currency rackets become active. There is no means to detect fake currency in the market."
President of Cox's Bazar Chambers of Commerce and Industries Abu Morshed Chowdhury said, "Sometimes allegations of spreading fake currency are found. Before Eid, the fake currency rackets become active. It is necessary to take steps to detect fake currency for the sake of all."
