Rwanda National Police

Police in Rubavu District arrested two people on Wednesday, September 2, with counterfeit money amounting to Rwf40,000.

Providence Nyiramana, 36, and Pascal Musabimana, 35, were arrested in Nyundo Cell, Mudende Sector.

Their arrest was the result of information from residents of Nyundo, according to the Police spokesperson for the Western region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi.

“These people had gone shopping in the trading centre in Mutura village, they would ask for cheaper goods and pay with big notes of Rwf5000, which are counterfeit so as to get legal money as change. One seller recognized that the note he was given was fake and called the police,” CIP Karekezi said.

He added that after learning of the alleged crime, each trader, who had sold goods to the two suspects realized they had also been defrauded with fake notes, brought the notes which all amounted to Rwf40,000.

The duo indeed admitted that the fake currency notes are theirs and they produced them.

The suspected criminals were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Mudende station.

CIP Karekezi commended the vigilance of the would-be victim and the role of the local residents, who were quick to contain the suspects before escaping until Police arrived.

“We thank the people, who gave us the information that led to the arrest of these suspects. We also encourage everyone else to be careful enough whenever they are given new bank notes to avoid falling prey to such fraud,” CIP Karekezi noted.

Article 269 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general states that “any person who, fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies or alters coins or bank notes which are legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, notes issued by the Treasury with its stamp or brand, either banknotes or alike that have legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, or one who introduces or issues in Rwanda such effects or notes with knowledge that they are forged or falsified, commits an offence.”

Upon conviction, they are liable imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.