Bhubaneswar: A scooter deal arranged through an online marketplace took an unexpected turn in Baragada after a seller became suspicious of the cash offered by a minor, prompting police to intervene and seize fake currency notes worth Rs 45,000.
The incident took place in Ward No. 13 under Baragada Town police station in Baragada district.
According to reports, the minor had approached the seller to purchase an Ola S1 Pro scooter. The deal was finalised for Rs 45,000, but instead of making the payment online, the minor allegedly handed over the amount in cash.
The seller became suspicious after noticing that the Rs 500 notes appeared unusually thick. He subsequently informed Baragada Town police about the suspected fake currency.
Acting on the information, police reached the spot and questioned the minor. During the inquiry, they allegedly found fake currency notes with a face value of Rs 45,000.
Police have detained the minor and launched an investigation to ascertain the source of the fake notes and whether others were involved in the matter.
The seller said he had posted an advertisement on OLX on September 11 to sell his Ola S1 Pro. He received a call regarding the deal on September 19, following which the minor came to his house on Tuesday.
“On September 11, I posted an advertisement on OLX to sell my Ola S1 Pro. Last Saturday (September 19), I received a call regarding the deal. Today, the minor came to our house and the deal was finalised for Rs 45,000. He did not make the payment online and instead gave me Rs 500 notes in cash. I found the notes unusually thick and became suspicious. I first went to the SBI and later filed a complaint at the Town police station,” the seller told the media.
Police are investigating how the minor obtained the counterfeit notes and tracing their source.
