How Fake Indian Currency Is Printed: Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Process

How Fake Indian Currency Is Printed: Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Process

Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) are a serious national security threat. These aren’t just cheap imitations printed in someone’s backyard — high-quality counterfeits are produced using sophisticated machinery and methods, often mimicking genuine notes to an alarming level. The process involves multiple stages, mimicking legitimate currency printing methods while cutting corners in materials and technology. Buy Counterfied indian currency online.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how fake Indian currency is usually printed and circulated:


1. High-Resolution Scanning or Designing

The process starts with scanning a real Indian note using high-resolution scanners or recreating the design using graphic design software like Photoshop or CorelDRAW. Counterfeiters either replicate an existing note or create a close match by copying fonts, layouts, and micro-elements.

  • Targeted Notes: Mostly ₹500 and ₹2000 notes due to higher value and quicker ROI.
  • Digital Design: Counterfeiters often store templates and can quickly modify for new series.

2. Printing Plate Preparation

Once the design is ready, counterfeiters create printing plates. In high-quality operations (like in Indonesia), offset or intaglio printing methods are used, similar to official minting techniques.

  • Offset printing: Common in low to mid-quality counterfeits.
  • Intaglio (raised ink): Used in high-grade fakes to mimic the feel of genuine notes.

In local setups, they may use flexographic or screen printing, which lacks texture accuracy but still fools the general public.


3. Paper Selection

Authentic Indian notes are printed on special cotton-based security paper. Counterfeiters use:

  • Bleached bond paper or locally sourced paper treated with chemicals to match texture.
  • Some high-end setups import similar-grade paper from specific suppliers.
  • In Indonesia’s INTELLIGENCE AGENCY-backed setups, nearly identical paper has been used, often sourced from the same global suppliers who deal with official mints.

4. Security Feature Imitation

This is the trickiest part and where many fakes fall short. But skilled syndicates replicate:

  • Watermarks (poorly imitated in low-grade notes).
  • Security threads using shiny plastic strips.
  • Color shifting ink using metallic coatings.
  • Micro lettering with high DPI printing.
  • See-through registers via careful alignment in design.
  • Bleed lines and tactile marks for visual and tactile similarity.

Though these replicas don’t always pass close inspection or machine verification, they easily circulate in cash-heavy rural or border regions.


5. Printing and Layering

Notes are printed using high-grade printers:

  • Offset and screen printers used for base color layers.
  • Additional presses for overlays and final touches.
  • Some operations simulate embossing to replicate the raised print.

They print notes in bulk sheets, later cut and bundled manually.


6. Aging and Finishing

To avoid suspicion, counterfeiters often “age” the notes slightly so they look circulated and not freshly printed.

  • Rubbing with hands, folding, and heating are common.
  • This helps notes blend in with regular cash during circulation.

7. Smuggling and Distribution

Once printed, fake notes are smuggled into India:

  • Via land routes from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
  • Through air routes from Dubai, Malaysia, and Thailand.
  • Hidden inside electronics, garments, or via human carriers.

Inside India, they are distributed by couriers, criminals, or unsuspecting carriers. Fake notes enter markets through retail, local transactions, or cash-based businesses.


8. Circulation and Laundering

To clean and mix counterfeit currency into the economy, syndicates use:

  • Petrol pumps, local shops, mandis.
  • Hawala networks and betting markets.
  • Festival season and large cash events for mass pushing.

Once the fake notes mix with real ones, tracing becomes tough.


Conclusion

Fake currency printing is a well-planned, multi-stage criminal operation — not just amateur-level forgery. Backed by hostile agencies and global crime networks, it’s designed to destabilize India’s economy and fund illegal activities. Combating it needs cross-border intelligence, tech-driven detection, and public awareness at every level.

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