Iraqi security forces arrest counterfeiter in Najaf, seize fake dollars and forged property deeds

NAJAF, Iraq — Iraq's National Security Service said it arrested a counterfeiter linked to local gangs after a two-month intelligence and field operation in Najaf province. The agency's press and media directorate said the suspect was apprehended following judicial authorization and a raid on his location. Officers seized 100,000 counterfeit US dollars and forged Iraqi currency, the agency said. They also recovered fake property transfer contracts, promissory notes, title deeds, checks, powers of attorney and various seals with a combined value exceeding 9.5 billion Iraqi dinars, according to the statement. Additional forged contracts were valued at around 1.75 million US dollars. Items recovered during the raid included money-counting and sorting machines, financial documents, residency papers, bank cards and a firearm, the directorate said. The suspect and the seized materials have been handed over to the relevant authorities for legal proceedings.