Fake currency with face value of about Rs 6 lakh was recovered from their possession, police said.
The accused were identified as Bhupati Teja alias Srinu who works as film costume designer in Hyderabad and who hails from Anakapalli in Visakhapatnam district; Gajula Rajesh who is from Tenali in Guntur district and who also works in the film industry; Kaspa Parameswara Rao who is also from Tenali and Kanikineni Nageswara Rao who works as a shift operator at Electrical Department at Vijayawada on temporary basis and is resident of Mangalgir in Guntur district.
They had swapped original currency with fake currency of twice as much face value at Vardman village near Howrah, police said. The notes were of denomination of Rs 1000 and Rs 500.
Bhupati Teja told the police that he was heavily indebted due to his addiction to cricket betting. One Ganesh, who died six months ago, was his contact at Howrah.