Dhaka: In an effort to prevent circulation of counterfeit notes ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has taken a step to set up around 1,500 fake note detector machines in cattle markets in and outside capital Dhaka. 

"Earlier, BB has provided over 1,000 machines as per demand of law enforcing agencies. BB will also provide 450 more devices ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha," BB's chief spokesperson Subhankar Saha told BSS on Sunday. 

Like previous year, he said, scheduled banks will provide the people with fake note detection services round-the-clock until the night before the Eid day at all cattle markets in cities, municipalities and upazila headquarters.

The central bank and law-enforcing agencies will cooperate with the scheduled banks to this end, he added.

The central bank, Subhankar Saha said, has already asked the banks in the divisional and district levels to raise awareness among the people about the fake notes.

He also urged both the sellers and buyers in the cattle markets to avail the service during transactions as fake note circulation is rampant during the two religious festivals -- Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha.

Recently, a meeting was held at the police headquarters to stop circulation of fake currency particularly in the cattle markets. 

According to the meeting's decision, police will install fake currency detector machines side by side with setting up watch towers in the cattle markets especially in big cities including Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna, the meeting sources said.

The law enforcers have been instructed to intensify intelligence vigilance at three tiers to stop production, circulation and use of fake notes. 

Intelligence watch has been intensified at different places, particularly at shopping malls and bank areas to stop the unholy practice. Besides, different slums are also being watched.

Over 30 crime syndicates have been involved in producing different fake currencies, especially US dollars, Euro, Pound, Saudi Riyal and Taka, a police official said. 

"Criminals usually choose the slums scattered in different parts of Dhaka, Narayanganj, Savar, Tongi, Gazipur, Munshiganj and Keraniganj for running the illegal business," he said.