Salesman buys counterfeit currency through Instagram, held

CHENNAI: Police on Tuesday arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly purchasing counterfeit currency online.

The accused, Satish of Velachery who works as a salesman in a store here had bought the currency through an Instagram page, police sources said.

A private courier service staff had tipped off Velachery police about suspicious content inside the parcel which arrived from Bengaluru.

On opening the package, police found Rs 21,500 in counterfeit currency and summoned the receiver, Satish for enquiry.

During investigation, Satish told police that he came across Instagram handles selling fake currencies and ordered through them.

Few months back, Sathish struck a deal and transferred Rs 1,100 for which he received Rs 3,000 in counterfeit currency. Later Sathish transferred another Rs 8,500 and received Rs 13,000 through courier. This time he had transferred Rs 15,000 and received Rs 21,500 fake currencies, police said.

According to police, there were 69 notes of Rs 100 denomination 26 notes of Rs 500 and 8 notes of Rs 200 in the parcel meant for Satish.

Since Satish worked as a salesperson in the supermarket, he slipped in these notes in the store’s cash chest and also gave as change to customers, police said. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.