A unexpected surprise for the residents of Shahjahanpur’s Kalan area! A State Bank of India (SBI) ATM in the Moradabad-Farrukhabad State Highway dispensing counterfeit 500 rupee notes has left customers stunned and authorities scrambling to investigate. The ATM was sealed on Saturday after multiple complaints were received, with the police taking swift action to secure the machine and launch a probe.
The issue came to light on Friday when customers reported receiving suspicious-looking 500 rupee notes from the ATM. Three residents, Akash, Sumit, and Shivkumar, reported receiving fake notes with glaring errors, including a “Churan” label and a replaced phrase “Reserve Bank of India” with “Full of Fun” in English. These counterfeit notes appeared authentic but possessed clear signs of forgery.
The police immediately responded, shutting down the ATM until bank officials inspect its cash cassettes on Monday. SBI’s Lead District Manager R.R. Tiwari assured a thorough investigation, stating that all ATMs undergo strict cash verification, and they will identify how fake notes entered the system.
However, the incident raises concerns about loopholes in cash-handling protocols. ATM cash is typically verified using high-end scanners, but these counterfeit notes, matching the size, color, and design of genuine notes, have evaded detection. The police will examine CCTV footage, review cash replenishment timelines, and identify whether the fraud occurred during cash loading or due to technical failure.
Parents of Shahjahanpur are advised to be vigilant and report any discrepancies in notes to banks or the police. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in India’s cash distribution systems, and the effort to address these vulnerabilities is ongoing.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities stress that dispensing counterfeit currency is a punishable offense, carrying penalties up to life imprisonment. The SBI ATM fake notes incident serves as a wake-up call to remain cautious, and residents are eagerly awaiting answers on how fake notes infiltrated a trusted SBI machine.