Dawood Syndicate’s New India Strategy: Destabilize With Fake Currency

NEW DELHI- Indian agencies have reported a sharp rise in counterfeit currency seizures, pointing to a renewed push by organized networks to expand operations.

Investigators say the syndicate linked to Dawood Ibrahim, operating from Pakistan, is increasingly directing operatives in India to print fake notes locally instead of relying on cross-border smuggling routes through Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The shift indicates a deliberate attempt to scale up production while evading tighter border enforcement. Recent months have seen multiple seizures in border regions due to enhanced security measures. Attempts to drop counterfeit currency using drones are also being detected and intercepted with increasing frequency.

An Intelligence Bureau official said the syndicate is instructing operatives in India to print fake notes locally and circulate them in the market. They have been advised to keep operations small but frequent to maintain overall volume while avoiding attention.

“To reduce the risk of detection, members are also shifting bases regularly, making it difficult for agencies to track and pin down a single location,” the official added.

Another official said the network is now trying to expand printing operations across multiple states, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab. In the past, the syndicate had set up a localized unit in Malda, West Bengal, where high-quality counterfeit notes were produced and were difficult to detect.

Officials added that efforts are underway to push in raw materials needed to set up fresh units and expand local production. If these consignments reach operatives in India, output could rise again.

Last month, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Amritsar Police seized counterfeit currency worth Rs 2.5 lakh, which officials believe may have been a trial run. While drones have previously been intercepted carrying drugs, arms and ammunition, their use for moving fake currency has emerged as a growing concern.

Agencies said the syndicate is now relying on smaller consignments that are harder to detect on radar and surveillance systems. Officials added that operatives are adopting varied methods to increase the circulation of counterfeit notes.

Even as local production gathers pace, the use of drones is expected to continue. The broader objective, officials said, is to generate funds for terror activities and inflict economic damage through the sustained circulation of fake currency. (IANS)