Counterfeit currency rampant in Kerala; fraud focusing on two sectors

MUNDAKKAYAM: Even though counterfeit currency fraud is rampant in the district, the police are still searching in the dark. The group active is focusing on giving fake notes while buying things in shops and buying lottery tickets. Last day, a young man came to Kunjukutan's shop at Kannalipadi, Nedumkunnam, Nooromavu road and took away Rs.4000. 2000 rupees notes in the name of Children's Bank of India were given in the shop. Later, the lottery vendor who came to the shop gave four 500 rupee notes and bought 2000 rupees from Kunjukutan. The scam came to light when the lottery vendor went to the ration shop with this currency.

A week ago, in Erumeli Kuruvamoozhy, an old woman from Mundakkayam who runs a lottery business was duped similarly. She was given 2 two thousand rupee notes in exchange for 100 lottery tickets. In both cases, the police are still investigating. CCTV footage was checked but no trace was found.

Older people are the ones who fall into the trap

Fraud is targeted at the elderly. Mostly lottery sellers and small shop owners. Fraudsters take advantage of the fact that they cannot quickly identify fake notes. Earlier this month, the young man, who was a native of Manakkara, had taken the ticket from the hand of a lottery seller and had cheated him by giving him a fake note of Rs.2000. The fact that no one could be arrested despite complaints is a shame for the police.