Hyderabad police arrest two foreign nationals in ₹20 lakh fake currency scam

Updated - July 25, 2026 09:32 pm IST — HYDERABAD

By The Hindu Bureau

Police presenting the accused before the media in Hyderabad on Saturday.

The Miyapur police and the Central Crime Station (CCS), Narsingi, have arrested two foreign nationals for cheating a Hyderabad man of ₹20 lakh. The accused allegedly convinced the victim 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 used in the fraud.

The Accused

• Toure EL Hadji Mahamane (alias Fokou Tamen Romuald / Rolin), 49, a businessman residing in Attapur, Hyderabad. Originally from Segou, Mali, he holds a Cameroon passport.
• Tchouanyou Adolphe (alias Auram), 62, an online businessman residing in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Originally from Bandjoun, Cameroon.

How the Scam Unfolded

According to police, the case was registered on July 20 following a complaint by Krishna Kanth Vadlani. The complainant 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 cash. He subsequently approached the Miyapur police.

Investigation and Recovery

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.

Seized property includes:

• ₹10 lakh in cash
• Fake Indian ₹500 currency notes
• Fake US dollar notes
• Activation powder
• Liquid chemical bottles
• Bundles of black paper allegedly used during the fake currency multiplication demonstration

Modus Operandi

Investigators said the accused targeted victims through repeated phone calls from foreign mobile numbers before arranging in-person meetings to establish credibility.

Criminal History

Police said the first accused, Toure EL Hadji Mahamane, has a prior criminal record. 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.
• A cheating case registered in Gujarat in 2022.

Published - July 25, 2026 09:26 pm IST