NIA says seized Rs 2,000 fake notes are of low quality
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency’s detailed forensic analysis of recently seized counterfeits of the new Rs 2,000 currency note has shown that these were low quality fakes generated through ‘computer manipulated prints’ and ‘colour copies’.
The findings run contrary to the initial alarm it raised when NIA seized these notes from a known courier in Malda, West Bengal, leading to speculation that most security features had been compromised.
ETaccessed NIA’s forensic report, which has described the notes as counterfeit but not categorised as high quality. Investigative agencies like NIA usually concentrate on cases with high-quality fakes as they point to an organised syndicate with sophisticated printing capability.
Of some 17 features in the new Rs 2,000, the forensic analysis has found the note’s length and width were accurate. That apart, the final reports states, the main and hidden watermarks as well as the electrotype watermark is “imitated”.
This, officials told ET, are typical of computer scans and manipulation. On the other hand, the report observes that the seized note was on thicker paper bearing the papermark “Prajatantri Bangladesh”, which points to usage of Bangladesh government stamp paper.
NIA sleuths believe that this finding largely puts to rest theories of this being the first Pak-based intelligence operation to counterfeit the new currency. The effort, an insider said, appears a response to a rising demand in the local fake currency market.
Upfront features, according to the forensic report, that clearly distinguished the fake from the original note were – varying texture, absence of denomination numerals and size of printed designs on the note. Besides these, the optical response features, which essentially standout when the note held against light were absent.
The report states that the paper was “optically inactive” and the fluorescent fibre as well as the tint band was “not present”. The numbering is also “not fluorescent.” The security thread, according to the report, is “partly present” and doesn’t continue on to the reverse side.
The findings run contrary to the initial alarm it raised when NIA seized these notes from a known courier in Malda, West Bengal, leading to speculation that most security features had been compromised.
ETaccessed NIA’s forensic report, which has described the notes as counterfeit but not categorised as high quality. Investigative agencies like NIA usually concentrate on cases with high-quality fakes as they point to an organised syndicate with sophisticated printing capability.
Of some 17 features in the new Rs 2,000, the forensic analysis has found the note’s length and width were accurate. That apart, the final reports states, the main and hidden watermarks as well as the electrotype watermark is “imitated”.
This, officials told ET, are typical of computer scans and manipulation. On the other hand, the report observes that the seized note was on thicker paper bearing the papermark “Prajatantri Bangladesh”, which points to usage of Bangladesh government stamp paper.
NIA sleuths believe that this finding largely puts to rest theories of this being the first Pak-based intelligence operation to counterfeit the new currency. The effort, an insider said, appears a response to a rising demand in the local fake currency market.
Upfront features, according to the forensic report, that clearly distinguished the fake from the original note were – varying texture, absence of denomination numerals and size of printed designs on the note. Besides these, the optical response features, which essentially standout when the note held against light were absent.
The report states that the paper was “optically inactive” and the fluorescent fibre as well as the tint band was “not present”. The numbering is also “not fluorescent.” The security thread, according to the report, is “partly present” and doesn’t continue on to the reverse side.
