Nagpur: Umred Police have arrested four persons for allegedly cheating people by promising to exchange small amounts of money for higher-value counterfeit currency notes. Police also recovered suspected wildlife parts and an opium-like narcotic substance from their possession, seizing property worth around ₹7.90 lakh.

The action was carried out on August 26 following a tip-off that some persons were carrying counterfeit currency and planning to sell it in the Ghataali Road area of Umred.

Acting on the information, police intensified patrolling in the area and spotted a suspicious Maruti Swift (HR-06-AV-6549) travelling towards Umred from Ghataali Road. The vehicle was stopped and searched in the presence of witnesses.

Police found three men — Kuldeep Kashyap (36), Mohit Kashyap (26) and Gaurav Kashyap (25) — along with a woman inside the vehicle. During the search, officers recovered six bundles of ₹100 denomination notes, collectively worth ₹60,000, along with 99 notes of ₹10 denomination worth ₹990.

Police also recovered paper, glass, a machine/locker, chemical bottles and other materials allegedly used to convince potential victims that counterfeit currency could be produced.

The search further led to the recovery of objects resembling a blackbuck horn, a deer antler and tiger teeth. A metal container containing 4.34 grams of a blackish-brown substance suspected to be opium, valued at approximately ₹21,700, was also seized.

According to police, the accused allegedly lured people by claiming that they could provide counterfeit notes in exchange for a smaller amount of genuine currency. They reportedly displayed the paper, glass, machinery and chemicals to gain the victims’ confidence. After receiving money, they allegedly fled without providing the promised counterfeit currency.

Investigation has also revealed the alleged involvement of Akshay Vasantrao Patil of Umred in the fraud.

Police have registered a case against the accused under Section 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act and NDPS Act.