Tamil Nadu: 5 held for attempting to sell black cardboard papers as stained Indian currencies

CUDDALORE: Five people including a woman, who attempted to dupe people in a novel way by selling black cardboard papers claiming that the cardboard papers are genuine Indian currencies but stained with black dye and the dye can be removed when the papers are washed in water mixed with a solution used in photography, were arrested by police on Thursday.
The arrested were identified as S Ramasamy, 53 from Perambalur, K Subburaj, 52, S Ganesan, 54 and his wife G Parvathi, 53 and M Saravanakumar, 25 from Virudunagar. Police have launched a hunt for Tamizh from Karungizhi involved in the crime, who absconded after learning that police have nabbed other members of the gang.
A team led by Vadalur police inspector K Veeramani while on routine patrolling on Thursday evening spotted a Sumo vehicle moving under suspicious circumstances near Vadalur. On inspection, the police team found five occupants including a woman, a few black cardboard papers, five Rs 500 notes, and a few bottles of chemicals including baking soda in the vehicle.
Initial inquiries revealed that the gang members have attempted to dupe people by selling black cardboard papers claiming that they are genuine Rs 500 currencies stained with black dye and the dye can be removed by washing the papers in water mixed with a solution (hypo) used in developing photographic films.
"The modus operandi of the gang is to dip a few genuine Rs 500 currencies in iodine solution, apply zinc and baking soda on both sides making them as thick as cardboard papers. They precisely cut black cardboard paper in the dimension of Rs 500 note. They invite potential customers wishing to make quick money and claim that the cardboard papers are real Rs 500 currencies but are stained,” said the inspector.
“The gang members will claim that the stain can be removed by washing cardboard papers in water mixed with hypo and sell the stained papers at rates less than Rs 500 per note. They give demonstrations using the genuine Rs 500 notes that were stained by them earlier with chemicals. When these notes are washed in water mixed with hypo, the black dye dissolves revealing the Indian currencies. They use this technique to convince people and sell cardboard papers claiming that they are genuine Rs 500 currencies stained with black dye,” said Veeramani.
Police booked all of them under section 420 (cheating) of the Indian penal code and arrested five members of the gang and launched a hunt for one absconding member.