Rs. 500 counterfeit currency notes circulating in several areas; arrested suspects reveal

Three persons have been arrested with 602 counterfeit currency notes of Rs. 500 by the Special Task Force of Police (STF) during a raid in Seeduwa.

The STF said they searched two men who arrived on a motorcycle in Ekala  and added they were in possession of 60 counterfeit notes of Rs.500.

Following their interrogation, the STF raided a lodge at Liyanagemulla in Seeduwa, where they were staying on rent.  

The STF arrested another suspect and seized 542 counterfeit notes of Rs. 500, a laptop and a printer used for printing counterfeit notes.

Further questioning of the suspects revealed that Rs. 500 notes had been fraudulently distributed in Seeduwa, Gampaha, Kiridiwela, Wattala and Ja-Ela areas.  

The STF said the counterfeit notes with the serial numbers T/17 758552,  T/17 758578 and T/ 17-758779 are circulating among the people and urged them to check the money when using it.

The suspects aged 21, 43 and 45 are identified as residents of Gampaha, Wellampitiya and Veyangoda.

The suspects and siezed notes and items were handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department.

The raid was conducted under the direct supervision of STF Commanding Officer DIG Waruna Jayasundara by a team led by OIC of the STF Intelligence Division  CI Nadeeka Silva.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)