Rwanda National Police

Police in Rubavu District have arrested another man said to be part of the ring that either counterfeits or circulates fake money.

 Boniface Nduhura was apprehended Monday at a bar in Gisenyi town with fake US$5, 500, Police said.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kayigi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the arrest of Nduhura followed a tip-off from people, who were in the same bar with him.

“Some people, who were in the same bar that night heard Nduhura arguing with his colleague on how to share the genuine money after exchanging the fake dollar notes, and they immediately called security personnel, who were nearby,” CIP Kayigi said.

He added: “His accomplice managed to escape arrest, but after Nduhura’s arrest he was searched and security personnel recovered US$5500 from him, all fake.”

According to CIP Kayingi, Ndahura is part of a network that distributes fake money especially in Gisenyi and Kigali.

“He is connected to other suspects, who have been arrested in different parts of the country over the same financial crimes. There are other people in this criminal business who are known to security organs and will also be arrested to face justice,” the spokesperson warned.

He commended the role of the public in identifying and arresting people engaged in these criminal tendencies.

“Most of the arrests were made due to vigilance and quick information sharing with the people; we continue to encourage the public to be vigilant and share information at any time on anyone they know or suspect to be engaged in these financial crimes.”

Last week, Police and investigators in Kigali arrested a woman with fake US$20, 000. During the same week, at least five other people were arrested in different parts of the country over the same crime.

According the article 269 of the penal code, any person who, fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies coins or bank notes which are legal tender in Rwanda 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 or she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.