Ain’t no breaking news, but the menace of counterfeit currency has grown manifold, with the conmen now openly flashing their business online. Several fake note makers have popped up on social media sites, especially Instagram.
With trending music in the background, their Instagram Reels showcase stacks of currencies of varying denominations, including Rs 500 and Rs 100, among others. The users brag about not getting caught, even by counterfeit currency detectors. However, the quality of the notes manufactured with substandard material is quite evident when the content creator shows how easily it tears apart. Sounds gold for scamsters willing to scam unsuspecting customers on the run. Several users in the past have flagged these content on the internet that even flashes their cell number for business.
Co-founder of Alt News, Zubair, highlighted the same in his latest post on X/Twitter. Do Meta’s Instagram moderators know? Will the regulatory bodies take any action? Will the Centre wake up from slumber and act? Or will the scamsters continue to act with impunity on Meta’s platform?
A lot of accounts on Instagram are selling fake currencies.. pic.twitter.com/CZd0o4G65f
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 20, 2025
More instagram accounts selling duplicate Indian currency. pic.twitter.com/jHW3UZtk5E
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 20, 2025
Reactions poured in on social media, with several serving memes featuring Farzi that showcased Sunny (portrayed by Shahid Kapoor) creating an empire by counterfeiting. One user jibed, “isa poorva 2014 se pehle ye sab chhup-chhup ke hota tha!” “No benefit of demonetization,” another user took a dig. Yet another user cheekily wrote, “Make in India.”
@shahidkapoor bhai aapse inspire huve lgta hai
FARZI pic.twitter.com/chGbv7ACOX
— Bunny_X (@makwanashivam1) April 21, 2025
isa poorva 2014 se pehle ye sab chhup-chhup ke hota tha!#startupindia ✌🏽 pic.twitter.com/wm9LrfqHZl
— the_minimalist (@the_minimaleast) April 21, 2025
That means there is no benefit of demonetization.
— tanzilwasiq (@tanzilwasiq) April 21, 2025
Make in India again
— Madan kumar (@panchatham) April 21, 2025
See Also: Anupam Kher Replaces Mahatma Gandhi On Fake Currency Notes In Gujarat; Says ‘Kuch Bhi Ho Skta Hai’
Cover: Patrick Gawande / Mashable India