As the festive season of Eid al-Fitr approaches, the circulation of counterfeit banknotes has once again intensified across Jhenaidah and neighbouring districts. The surge in cash transactions during this period has created opportunities for organised criminal networks to distribute fake notes, often targeting small and medium-sized businesses. These traders are particularly vulnerable, as busy market conditions make careful verification difficult.
In a recent incident in Jhenaidah city’s Payra Chattar area, fruit merchant Kawsar Ali fell victim to such a scam. He recounted that just before iftar, two young men arrived on a motorcycle and purchased fruits worth approximately 2,500 taka. Upon examining the money, Kawsar discovered that both 1,000-taka notes he had received were counterfeit. “They deliberately passed off fake notes and left,” he said.
Local sources report that fraudsters take advantage of the increased cash flow before Eid. Modern printing technology has made counterfeit notes so realistic that detecting them has become increasingly challenging for ordinary people.
According to the district’s Detective Branch (DB) police, the trade in fake currency has extended beyond face-to-face transactions to digital platforms. Numerous pages on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube are offering counterfeit banknotes for sale, often with tempting discounts. Couriers are used to deliver the notes across the country to buyers.
Data on the circulating fake notes indicate:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Sale price | 100,000-taka counterfeit notes sold for 20,000–25,000 taka |
| Common denominations | 500 and 1,000 taka |
| Distribution channels | Social media and courier services |
| Primary targets | Small and medium-sized business owners |
Another victim, Mostafizur Rahman, a cloth merchant on KP Basu Road, shared that a customer purchased two saris worth 7,000 taka, paying with new notes. Later, he discovered that 4,000 taka of the payment was counterfeit.
Assistant Professor Md. Liaquat Hossain of the Forensic Science Department at Jessore University of Science and Technology stated, “The use of counterfeit notes spikes during national festivals. Small and medium businesses are the main targets because busy conditions prevent thorough verification of notes.”
Bank officials advise that genuine notes can be identified by watermarks, security threads, and colour-changing inks. However, heightened vigilance is essential during the Eid rush. Law enforcement agencies have intensified monitoring, with cyber units actively tracking online advertisements for fake currency. Several fraud rings have already been identified, and operations to apprehend them are planned in the near future.
Authorities urge all business owners to exercise maximum caution, particularly during large cash transactions, and to verify notes meticulously to prevent losses.