Rwanda National Police

A man identified as Theoneste Bizimana, 41, was arrested on Saturday, October 16, at about 6pm, in Mataba Village, Mwendo Cell, Mbuye Sector of Ruhango District with counterfeit money amounting to Frw7, 000.

The Southern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said that Bizimana was arrested due to information provided by the would-be victims.

"Bizimana together with another unidentified person had come from Shyogwe sector to a bar in Mataba trading center where they took three bottles of beer and ate meat, and paid a note of Frw5, 000.

Bizimana left to another nearby bar while his colleague, who had an envelope containing more money, left,? said SP Kanamugire.

The envelope containing money raised suspicions of the bar owner, prompting him to check the bill they paid, only to realize that it was counterfeit.

"Since the man an envelope containing money had left, the barman traced Bizimana to another bar in the trading centre, where it was also observed that he had paid another fake bill of Frw2000. Police was called in and took Bizimana into custody.

Law enforcement are still searching for his accomplice, who was allegedly holding an envelope of money, which is suspected to also be counterfeit," SP Kanamugire said.

Bizimana has since been handed over to RIB at Mbuye station for further investigation.

Article 269 of the law determining 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, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.