KATHMANDU: A graphic designer for 15 years, Rabi Man Shrestha, 32, of Kathmandu's Matatirtha was nabbed red-handed while printing couterfeit Nepali currency notes of different denominations yesterday evening.

A special investigation team deployed by the Police Headquarters had nabbed Shrestha from a rented room in Tinkune at around 8 pm.

According to Metropolitan Police Commissioner's Office, Ranipokhari, Shrestha was engaged in the business for the past five months without informing his kin. He had already floated notes amounting to Rs 100,000 and was planning to float Rs 150,000 in the market.

He used to buy stationery materials with the notes. He had bought soap at Bolase of Bhaktapur and inner shops of Lagankhel and toner from Star Office Automation in Putalisadak, among others. He had a plan to float fake notes in all the three districts in the capital.

Police have seized his citizenship certificate, passport, fake notes amounting to Rs 500,000 of 1,000, 500 and 100 denominations besides a computer set, printer, scanner and computer blue print of citizenship certificate.

According to the police, the notes were very much like the real ones and could easily dupe people.