Surat police have successfully dismantled a counterfeit document manufacturing ring operating out of Pandesara, arresting four individuals in the process. The counterfeiters specialized in the production of fake driving licenses and academic transcripts, amongst other documents.
The successful operation took just four days, leading to the seizure of 131 fraudulent documents and equipment valued at ₹1.55 lakh. Police are conducting further investigations into the operation's extensive activities.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeep Nikum reported that the fraudsters were involved in producing a wide range of counterfeit documents including driving licenses, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, election cards, and birth certificates. Acting on confidential tips, police targeted the "Solar Computer" shop in Shivnagar Society, next to Pandesara Piyush Point, where the suspects were allegedly creating the counterfeit identity proofs.
A sting operation was set up, involving a decoy customer sent to verify the group's activities. Upon the operation's success, an official raid was initiated. Police discovered that the fraudsters were using photoshop software to edit and produce fake documents, including driving licenses and academic transcripts.
The seized items included mobile phones, printers, PVC card printers, numerous passport size photos, lamination plastic covers, and a wide range of blank PVC card designs meant for counterfeit Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, driving licenses, labour cards, electoral cards, school leaving certificates, caste certificates, residence certificates, birth certificates, and insurance documents.
The four individuals arrested in the operation were identified as Mantukumar Ranvijay Singh (37), a native of Patna, Bihar; Akhilesh Rajeev Pal (23) from Banda, Uttar Pradesh; Mayank Sanjay Mishra (20) from Churu, Rajasthan; and Sanjeev Bhagwati Prasad Nishad (31) from Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh. All were residing in various localities of Pandesara, Surat, at the time of their arrest.
