Fake certificate scam busted

IMPHAL, Oct 21 : Two members of a counterfeit racket who used to forge seals, rubber stamps and documents have been pulled up a combined team of Imphal West District Police Special Intelligence Unit (SIU) ad Narcotic Cell.

Parading the arrested persons before media persons at Imphal West District Police Hqs this afternoon, SIU OC Inspector K Ranjit said that activities of the counterfeit gang were unearthed during separate raids conducted last night.

The two arrested along with the seized items and fake certificated being produced before media persons.

The arrested men have been identified as Konjengbam Sunil (42) s/o late Achouba of Moirang Mairembam Leikai but staying at Chingmeirong Yengkhoiba Bazar and Lourembam Basanta (41) of Kairang Mamang Leikai.

At first, Sunil was picked up from his Chingmeirong house. Along with 175 seals, a bundle of forged documents (marksheets and certificates) were recovered from his possession, said Inspector Ranjit. After Sunil, Basanta was also pulled up, and 54 seals, one computer set, one UPA and two printers were recovered from the latter.

Both Sunil and Basanta were engaged in producing counterfeit seals and documents and they were operating from their respective houses.

The seized counterfeit seals included those of COHSEM, BOSEM, MIMS and other educational institutions and boards. Moreover, counterfeit seals of Imphal West DC, SBI and other Government offices were recovered from the duo.

The forged documents included marksheets and certificates of Manipur University, COHSEM and BOSEM. According to the arrested duo, they charged more than Rs 500 for a counterfeit seal.

Inspector Ranjit said that further investigation was on.