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Any individual, who counterfeits, circulates or keeps fake legal tender, commits a crime.
Article 269 of law No 68/2018 determining offenses 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, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.
Accepting a counterfeit bears the loss, either to an individual or business as there is no reimbursement.
This is why fighting fake banknotes is an individual and a joint responsibility for all.
On Monday, February 6, Police in Ngoma District, arrested two people with two counterfeit banknotes.
Théophile Bwana, 25, and Ezechiel Harerimana, 24, were arrested at about 11a.m, in Rugarama village, Akabungo cell in Mugesera sector with two fake bills in the denominations of Frw5,000.
Bwana and Harerimana were reported by the would-be victim, who operates a bar in Rugarama village, where the duo was trying to pay for the drinks they had taken, with fake banknotes.
They were handed over to RIB at Zaza station for further legal process.
Police, last month, foiled an attempt by two men in Bugesera District to print counterfeit dollar bills amounting to US$100,000, approximately Frw108,500,000.
Many other people have been arrested in related economic crimes, due to information provided by members of the public.
It is, therefore, imperative to be vigilant in your business or when making any financial transactions. If you suspect someone to be counterfeiting or circulating fake banknotes, always call the Police on toll-free line 112 or any other Rwanda National Police (RNP) known communication channels.
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