New Delhi, Jan 27 (NationPress) As India prepares for a series of elections this year, intelligence agencies have issued warnings about a potential surge in the fake currency operation. The Dawood Syndicate, which orchestrates this illicit activity from Pakistan, has ramped up the production of counterfeit notes, channeling them via Bangladesh and Nepal.

An official from the Intelligence Bureau indicated that there has been a significant increase in operations in Malda, West Bengal, the primary entry point for fake currency from across the border. Those involved in the Malda racket are reportedly gearing up to receive a substantial shipment from Bangladesh, the official revealed.

Additionally, another intelligence source noted that the Dawood Syndicate will attempt to smuggle fake currency through the Nepal border, prompting a heightened state of alert. These operatives are trying to exploit the focus on election security to carry out their criminal activities.

It is crucial to address this issue at the border, as once the fake currency infiltrates India, it becomes exceedingly difficult to trace, the official emphasized.

Cooperation between intelligence agencies and the forensics department has unveiled that the counterfeit notes are of exceptionally high quality, suggesting they are produced using advanced machinery. The Pakistani establishment has invested significantly to ensure these notes evade detection by Indian authorities.

Reports indicate that the counterfeit currency displays an impeccable watermark composition, implying they are printed on machines typically reserved for state currency.

Intelligence agencies have confirmed that counterfeit notes worth crores of Rupees have been dispatched into Bangladesh, primarily via maritime routes. The Dawood Syndicate finds this route increasingly accessible, thanks to Dhaka's lenient stance towards Islamabad.

Under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, maritime access to Pakistan was established for the first time. Indian authorities suspect that substantial consignments of arms and ammunition have also been transported to Bangladesh via this route, which is similarly used to smuggle in counterfeit bills.

The challenge lies in introducing these notes into India. Officials anticipate that the D Company will utilize both the Nepal and Bangladesh borders for smuggling operations. While shipments from Nepal are expected to head towards Bihar, the fake currency entering via Bangladesh will likely be directed to Malda.

From Malda, the counterfeit notes will be disseminated to various parts of the country, particularly targeting states conducting elections.

Scheduled elections are set to take place in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry between March and May 2026. Officials assert that the D gang aims to funnel a significant volume of fake notes into these states during this period when security agencies will be preoccupied with election duties.

Border regions are under strict surveillance. A heightened alert is in effect in Malda and surrounding areas, as intelligence agencies predict that the largest shipment of counterfeit currency will arrive here.