Two foreign nationals arrested in ₹20 lakh fake currency scam in Hyderabad; ₹10 lakh recovered

Two foreign nationals were arrested by the Miyapur police and the Central Crime Station (CCS), Narsingi, for cheating a Hyderabad man of ₹20 lakh by convincing him they could double his money through a fake chemical-based currency multiplication process. Police recovered ₹10 lakh in cash along with fake currency notes and materials allegedly used in the fraud.The accused were identified as Toure EL Hadji Mahamane alias Fokou Tamen Romuald alias Rolin (49), a businessman residing in Attapur, Hyderabad, who is originally from Segou, Mali, but holds a Cameroon passport, and Tchouanyou Adolphe alias Auram (62), an online businessman residing in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, who is originally from Bandjoun, Cameroon.

According to the police, the case was registered on July 20 following a complaint by Krishna Kanth Vadlani, who alleged that the accused posed as businessmen and claimed they could multiply currency through a chemical process. To gain his confidence, they demonstrated the trick using black papers and chemicals, making it appear as though genuine currency notes had been produced.Believing the demonstration, the complainant handed over ₹20 lakh to the accused.

Police said the accused packed the money in a box, instructed him not to open it until they returned with a special chemical, and left the premises. When the complainant later opened the box, he found only white sheets and coloured photocopy papers instead of the cash, following which he approached the Miyapur police.Police said investigators collected technical and scientific evidence, analysed available leads and apprehended the accused during area patrolling.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to the offence. A substantial portion of the cheated amount, along with incriminating material used in the crime, was recovered.The seized property includes ₹10 lakh in cash, fake Indian ₹500 currency notes, fake US dollar notes, activation powder, liquid chemical bottles and bundles of black paper allegedly used during the fake currency multiplication demonstration.

Investigators said the accused targeted victims through repeated phone calls from foreign mobile numbers before arranging in-person meetings to establish credibility.Police said the first accused, Toure EL Hadji Mahamane, has a criminal history. He was previously booked in a 2025 case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946.

He was also involved in a cheating case registered in Gujarat in 2022. Published - July 25, 2026 09:26 pm IST Read Comments Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit READ LATER SEE ALL Remove