Sharjah: In the largest seizure of its kind in Sharjah since the beginning of the year, the Criminal Investigation Department of Sharjah Police on Monday foiled an African gang’s attempt to distribute counterfeit money amounting to $20 million.

The gang, which comprised three members, was arrested and the fake $20 million in their possession seized.

Colonel Ebrahim Al Ajel, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department of Sharjah Police, said that the gang used the fake dollars to convince people that they could double their money and make them rich in a short time.

Police were tipped off about illegal activities being carried out in an apartment in Al Nahda area in Sharjah with many people being cheated.

Police formed a team to investigate the issue and managed to verify the accuracy of the information received information and identify the suspects and their whereabouts.

The police raided the apartment and caught the suspects red-handed with the fake dollars in their possession, in addition to cash of various currencies such as dirhams, euros and pounds. Police investigations revealed that two of the suspects had entered the country on visit visas, while the third one held a valid residency visa from a shop.

The suspects initially denied that the counterfeit money belonged to them and said that it belonged to someone else. Later they told police that they had managed to convince many people that they could double their money and make them rich in a short time

The suspects confessed to their crime and the case was referred to the public prosecution.

Col Al Ajel said that during the interrogation, the police found out that many businessmen had approached the suspects and were ready to hand over their cash to be doubled. The gang was planning to collect huge amounts of cash and flee the country.

Brigadier Saif Al Ziri, Commander-in-chief of Sharjah Police, praised police efforts in arresting the gang in a short time and urged various police departments to intensify efforts to curb crimes that affect the safety and security of society.

He urged the public to cooperate with the police by informing them about any illegal activities.