Iraqi National Security Service arrests currency counterfeiting suspect in Najaf

Iraq’s National Security Service announced on Wednesday the arrest of a suspect accused of counterfeiting and circulating fake currency in Najaf Governorate. Authorities seized $100,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency, along with forged Iraqi banknotes and real estate sale and purchase contracts valued at around 9.5 billion Iraqi dinars.

The agency said the operation followed two months of intelligence and field surveillance and was carried out after obtaining judicial approval. It added that the suspect was allegedly linked to regional criminal networks involved in counterfeiting and circulating currency.

A search of the suspect’s location also uncovered real estate deeds and documents, checks, powers of attorney and various official stamps, as well as additional contracts estimated to be worth approximately $1.75 million.

Authorities also seized cash-counting and sorting machines, financial records, residency documents, bank cards and a firearm.

The suspect and the seized materials were referred to the relevant authorities for further legal proceedings, the agency said.