A major financial fraud operation involving counterfeit currency and fake online loans was uncovered after police seized Rs9 crore in fake currency from a hotel near Dhamakhali ferry ghat, Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas.
Police have arrested Tishan Sen, one of the key accused in the racket. The alleged mastermind, Abhishek Tiwari, is currently absconding, along with two others: Sirajuddin Molla and Debottam Chakraborty. All three are being actively pursued by law enforcement.
According to ADG (CID) Vishal Garg, Tiwari and Sen had been arrested earlier in February by Kolkata Police in connection with a similar investment fraud. The gang offered large loans to victims without much verification, then tricked them into paying upfront fees.
To build trust, they made video calls displaying cash bundles, hiding fake notes beneath genuine ones. Victims were told to pay a 1–2% “processing fee” to access the non-existent loan.
In one high-profile case, Subhasish Acharya, a builder from Burnpur, Asansol, was promised a Rs30 crore loan. He ended up losing Rs22 lakh.
The fake currency was traced to a printing setup in Sealdah, where the gang misled the shop owner, claiming the notes were for a film shoot.
The case has exposed a complex criminal network, blending counterfeiting with digital loan fraud, and investigations are ongoing to track the remaining accused.
