Rwanda National Police

A man identified as Eugene Kwizera, 25, was arrested on Sunday, September 5, in Idaga Village, Mashyesha Cell, Muganza Sector of Rusizi District with counterfeit money amounting to Frw20, 000.

The Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said that Kwizera was arrested after he was reported by the would-be victim.

"Kwizera paid Frw97, 000 at a beverage depot where he was buying drinks, but the attendant realized that four bills in the denominations of Frw20, 000 were fake. Police was called in and the suspect was taken into custody," CIP Karekezi said

Kwizera claims that he got all the Frw97, 000 from three traders, who had hired him to buy the beverages for them from the depot.

CIP Karekezi said that law enforcement organs are still conducting related investigations to unearth the origin of the counterfeit currency notes and to bring all those connected to this crime to justice.

Kwizera has since been handed over to RIB at Bugarama station.

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.