Arrested duo suspected to be part of a larger interstate forgery syndicate; digital evidence under forensic scrutiny, more arrests expected.
BY PC Bureau
August 9, 2025 — In aN intelligence-led operation, Guwahati police arrested two Manipuri men on Saturday after intercepting their Hyundai i20 in the Beharbari area. The suspects — Wasim Wangmayum (21) and Samurailatpam Prasanta Sharma (25) — were found in possession of counterfeit currency and high-end mobile devices, sparking an investigation into an interstate forgery racket.
The operation unfolded when a team from Basistha Police Station, under the East Guwahati Police District (EGPD), acted on precise intelligence inputs and flagged down the white Hyundai i20 (registration number DL4C AX 0800) near the Audi showroom in Beharbari. Inside, officers discovered 36 fake ₹500 notes — with a total face value of ₹18,000 — concealed within the vehicle.
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Alongside the counterfeit currency, police seized the vehicle itself, a Poco Android phone, and an iPhone 15 Pro, believed to contain vital digital evidence.
Links to Noida and Delhi
Preliminary findings suggest that the counterfeit notes were sourced from Noida and Delhi, with Guwahati as their intended destination for local circulation. Police sources say such currency is often injected into the economy through small-scale retail transactions, later filtering into larger criminal enterprises, including narcotics trade and illegal betting networks.
Acting on intel, an EGPD team from Basistha PS intercepted one Hyundai i20 (DL4C AX 0800) near the Audi showroom, Beharbari. Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) were recovered from it.
Arrested accused:
1️⃣ Wasim Wangmayum (21) – Lilong, Thoubal, Manipur
1/3 pic.twitter.com/tdN2RnYwkP
— Guwahati Police (@GuwahatiPol) August 9, 2025
Forensic experts are currently examining the seized mobile phones for call logs, encrypted messages, and financial transaction data that could identify other members of the network. Investigators are also studying patterns in travel, bank transfers, and social media communications to piece together the suspects’ movements and contacts.
A dedicated task force has been constituted to track the counterfeit supply chain, focusing on the suspected suppliers in Noida and Delhi as well as possible collaborators within Assam. Officials said the racket appears to be part of a larger syndicate that uses multiple couriers and routes to evade detection.
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Police believe the arrests mark only the tip of the iceberg. “The seized notes and digital devices will help us connect the dots. This is not an isolated incident — it’s part of a well-oiled network. More arrests are imminent,” a senior EGPD official said.
The operation has been widely praised internally for its speed and precision. A formal First Information Report (FIR) is expected to be filed shortly, after which the accused will be produced in court.
