Telangana, Rachakonda: In a major breakthrough, the SOT Maheshwaram Zone team, in coordination with the Pahadi Shareef police, successfully dismantled a Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) manufacturing and distribution racket led by Karli Naveen Kumar, a resident of Mahabubnagar, Telangana. Leveraging his background in graphic design and multimedia, the accused forged counterfeit currency, disrupting a large-scale operation spanning multiple states across India.
The accused, identified as Karli Naveen Kumar (26 years), son of Sridhar, hailing from KCR Colony, Mahabubnagar district, had been residing in Srinivasa Colony, Mahabubnagar town. Police seized counterfeit Rs. 500 notes worth ₹5,00,000 along with various materials used for forging currency, including printers, screen printing tools, specialized paper, security threads, and other equipment from his rented house in KCR Colony, Divitipalli Village, Mahabubnagar district.
Born in Amarchinta, Wanaparthi district, Telangana, Naveen Kumar completed his schooling at Geetom High School, Mahabubnagar, in 2015 and earned a Diploma in Civil Engineering, later specializing in multimedia with a focus on graphic design, web design, and digital marketing. Despite his qualifications, financial struggles led him to take up odd jobs, including driving for Uber and Rapido.
In August 2023, driven by his financial difficulties, Naveen Kumar began researching counterfeit currency production online. Using his skills in animation and design, he devised a plan to manufacture Fake Indian Currency Notes.
Naveen Kumar’s involvement in the counterfeit racket began through online interactions with a Kolkata-based businessman, whom he contacted while sourcing 45 GSM paper on platforms like IndiaMART. The businessman introduced him to counterfeit techniques and provided him with materials, including an RBI thread file, which Naveen modified to mimic genuine currency.
Naveen Kumar also collaborated with a friend in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, who invested in the operation by providing a printer. Initially, their attempts to produce Rs. 500 notes using an EPSON color printer were unsuccessful. However, with further guidance from the Kolkata contact and improvements in techniques, they began producing higher-quality counterfeit notes.
Over time, the operation expanded, with Naveen supplying counterfeit thread papers and US dollar watermark sheets to locations in Kolkata, Gujarat, and Vijayawada. In December 2024, a Gujarat-based accomplice joined the racket, providing advanced printing equipment to enhance the quality of the counterfeit currency. The accused printed Rs.500 notes amounting to Rs.5,00,000 as part of a larger deal involving 25 lakh counterfeit sheets.
Acting on a tip-off, the SOT Maheshwaram Zone team and Pahadi Shareef police apprehended Naveen Kumar on January 23, 2025, at Tukkuguda, where he was attempting to circulate counterfeit Rs.500 notes worth Rs.5,00,000. A raid on his rented premises led to the seizure of laptops, printers, and other materials used in manufacturing counterfeit currency. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend other members of the counterfeit network.
The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of Shri G. Sudheer Babu, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda, with guidance from K. Muralidhar, DCP, SOT, LB Nagar-Maheshwaram, and the support of SOT and Pahadi Shareef police personnel.
Our Citizen Reporter – Telangana
Mr. Bharath Reddy
