A graphic designer from Mumbai, taking inspiration from the Shahid Kapoor starrer web series Farzi, was allegedly involved in a scheme to create counterfeit passes for a popular dandiya event in Borivali, Mumbai. The accused had produced approximately 1,000 fraudulent passes with an intended monetary gain of around Rupees 30 lakh. However, the Mumbai police have reportedly arrested him and three of his associates involved. At present, efforts are underway to apprehend two more individuals involved in this criminal operation. In addition to the arrests, the police have reportedly confiscated the counterfeit passes and various tools used in the execution of this illegal activity.
The Mumbai police arrested Karan Shah (29), along with his associates, Darshan Gohil (24), Paresh Nevrekar (35), and Kavish Patil (24) on a Sunday. Shah is allegedly involved in making counterfeit passes for the Durgadevi Navratra Utsav Samiti event. Legitimate passes for this event were being sold at prices ranging from rupees 3,000 to rupees 3,800. The accused, however, sold the fake passes for approximately rupees 2,600 each, as per The Indian Express report.
Speaking on the issue, a police officer said, “During interrogation, Shah admitted that he was inspired by Shahid Kapoor’s web series Farzi to make fake passes of the event and earn quick money.”
For those who are unfamiliar with the crime thriller series, in Farzi, Kapoor is an artist who engages in counterfeiting currency.
The fraudulent activity came to the police’s notice after several people purchased the fake passes. These buyers reportedly approached the authorised stall for the Garba event, located at Kutchi Ground, New Link Road in Borivali (West), and inquired about the authenticity of the passes.
Representatives of the event checked the passes and identified them as fake. Furthermore, it was revealed that the serial numbers on these passes were not available for sale, as outlined in the First Information Report (FIR). Further investigation disclosed that the passes were obtained from a man named Darshan Gohil, as per The Indian Express.
Recognising the magnitude of the fraud and the potential for similar fraudulent activities, the event organisers reported the incident to the MHB Colony police station. They filed a complaint accusing fraud and forgery. The police acted promptly and detained four individuals, including the alleged mastermind, Karan Shah.
The gang was reportedly aiming to generate about rupees 30 lakh as the police seized a total of 1,000 counterfeit passes from their possession. The price of these passes was also escalated by the gang as the event date approached.
In addition to the arrests, officers also reportedly confiscated 1,000 holograms, printing equipment, laptops, and other items with an estimated value of approximately rupees 35.10 lakh.
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