MUSCAT – Money exchanges in the Sultanate of Oman have introduced stringent measures to detect counterfeit currencies after two Omani families unknowingly landed in trouble in India for allegedly possessing fake Indian rupees, Times of Oman reported Saturday. These measures include special training for staff to easily detect fake currencies, reluctance to accept Indian rupee (for buying other currencies) in large quantities from nationalities other than Indians and Omanis, norms to produce resident card for buying foreign currencies and a move to get access to ROP's data base for cross checking duplicate resident cards. “We have issued two circulars – one to exchange houses and the other one to banks – for taking precautions while dealing with foreign currencies,” Hamoud Sangour Al Zadjali, Executive President of the Central Bank of Oman, told the paper. “We have to take extreme precautions now. If a non-Indian comes with a large quantity of rupees, we question them and generally do not take it. However, if it is an Omani national, we consider it as it could be the balance money they bring from India on their return journey,” said B Rajan, General Manager of Al Jadeed Exchange. “Also, as per the Reserve Bank of India guideline, a person travelling outside the country can carry only Rs.7,500 with him,” he further added. Rajan said there are six unique features in Indian rupee, which may not be seen in counterfeit notes. This can be detected by using a UV counterfeit currency detector. He added that the branches have been given clear guidelines and UV counterfeit currency detectors for detecting fake currencies. “Of late, some counterfeit currencies overcome UV counterfeit currency detector checks.” He also noted that the exchange companies have made a proposal to the Royal Oman Police for linking the database of exchange firms with Royal Oman Police to detect any kind of fake document produced at the exchange while changing currencies. The ROP has approved the proposal. “However, this is yet to be implemented as certain technical issues have to be sorted out,” noted Rajan, whose exchange has 13 branches and three outlets at the airport. All exchange houses have camera surveillance and in case of an investigation, the video clippings will be given to ROP. – Agencies
