Accused in Surat fake currency racket travelled to China for training

In a major crackdown, the Crime Branch has uncovered shocking details in a fake currency printing racket operating under the guise of yoga activities at Satyam Yog Foundation in Surat. During interrogation, the main accused Pradeep Guruji and his associate Mukesh Hummar revealed that they had travelled to China before starting the operation in India.

According to investigators, the duo visited Guangzhou and Qingdao earlier this year, where they met agents and learnt the complete process of printing counterfeit currency. They also conducted trial prints of fake notes in China, including a ₹500 note, which closely resembled genuine currency in quality.

After returning to Surat, the accused allegedly set up operations near Dhoran Pardi village in Kamrej under the cover of a yoga ashram. To procure raw materials, they ordered currency-grade security paper disguised as stationery supplies. Officials said the paper consignments were imported from China in three batches, with each box costing around ₹1.5 lakh.

The Crime Branch suspects that the accused may have already printed fake currency worth crores and circulated it through various channels. In an initial test, around ₹15 lakh in counterfeit notes were allegedly released into the market to check their acceptability.

Police have not ruled out the possibility that fake currency printed by the group is already in circulation across Gujarat. Further searches are planned at the ashram and residences of other accused, while central agencies including customs authorities will also be roped in for investigation.

The probe is ongoing, and more revelations are expected as agencies widen the net.