CHENNAI: Two siblings from Bengaluru were arrested while trying to exchange Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) for purchasing a used two-wheeler at Triplicane in the city on Wednesday night. A third one, however, had managed to escape.
Police said the trio walked into the used-bikes selling outlets on Bells Road near Chepauk Stadium on the pretext of buying an old scooter. They zeroed in on a Honda Activa for a price of `22,000 and handed over fake notes for the value of `14,000, in the denomination of `1,000. They told the shop owner that they would come back after withdrawing money while leaving one of them at the shop. However, after receiving the money, the shop owner grew suspicious about the genuineness of the currencies. He checked in a currency checking machine installed in a shop in the neighbourhood and learnt that he had been given counterfeit ones. Subsequently, he tipped off Triplicane Police who rushed to the spot.
By the time, the trio returned to pay the balance money, police too landed at the shop. As soon as they spotted the police personnel, the trio took to their heels. But they were chased and two were caught while the third managed to escape.
The arrested were identified as Syed Jamil (30), and his elder brother Syed Askar, (31), both residents of Bengaluru.
Preliminary investigations revealed that their accomplice Syed Wasim too was their brother. The arrested duo was working in a tailoring shop in Bengaluru where they had come across one Lukhman and Alim Bhai.
The duo had convinced them to exchange FICN for a handsome commission following which the trio made their trip to Chennai.
However, the attempt was foiled by the vigilant shop keeper, Salim. “The seized notes were of first quality and is believed to have been printed in Pakistan,” said a senior police official privy to the investigation.