How web series "Farzi" drove gang to produce counterfeit currency

HYDERABAD: In a plot straight out of a Bollywood thriller, a counterfeit currency racket was recently unearthed in Hyderabad, with the mastermind revealing that the inspiration behind the operation came from the popular movie "Farzi."

The main accused, Vanam Laxminarayana, a resident of Boduppal, Uppal, originally hailing from Warangal, replicated the modus operandi portrayed in the movie to print and circulate fake 500-rupee notes.

Laxminarayana, who had previously been involved in cheating cases, found himself in dire financial straits. Drawing inspiration from the storyline of "Farzi," he hatched a plan to create counterfeit currency and circulate it in the market. With a background in computer science, he utilized his knowledge of computers and printers to embark on the intricate process of counterfeiting.

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Emulating scenes from the movie, Laxminarayana would scan original notes using a laptop and combine green foil paper and Excel bond paper with a lamination machine to produce the counterfeit notes. The attention to detail even extended to adding watermarks using a screen printing frame. All of this was done discreetly in the confines of his home, where he would meticulously lock the room to prevent any unwanted intrusions.

To execute the distribution of the fake currency, Laxminarayana took the help of Erukala Pranay Kumar. The duo planned to sell the counterfeit currency in a 1:4 ratio, promising customers four times the value of the original currency. However, their grand plan began to unravel when Pranay Kumar was apprehended during a vehicle check-in in Allapur with Rs-20,000 worth of fake currency.

Following Pranay Kumar's confession, law enforcement officials raided Laxminarayana's residence, apprehending him along with an additional Rs-3,85,000 worth of counterfeit currency. The raid also revealed a treasure trove of equipment used in counterfeiting, mirroring the dramatic sequences witnessed in the "Farzi" web series.

This real-life drama, inspired by the reel world of "Farzi," unfolded with a cinematic touch, leaving law enforcement officials amazed at the audacity of the operation.

DCP Balanagar appreciated the good work done by the SOT Balanagar Zone team and Allapur PS in cracking the case and the team has been rewarded suitably.