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Kinyarwanda
Police in Ngoma District is has arrested Jean Damascene Niyongere in connection with issuing counterfeit banknotes.
Niyongere was arrested recently as he attempted to pay his bar bill using a counterfeited note of Rwf5000.
“His arrested came as a response to the bartender’s alert who tipped the police that there was a client attempting to use fake notes in paying his bill,” said the Eastern Region Police Spokesperson Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobard Kanamugire.
However, after the bartender seized the fake note Niyongere attempted to escape the scene but residents barred him from leaving until police arrived at the scene and arrested him.
“On searching his pockets Niyongere was found with more counterfeit banknotes totaling to Rwf116, 000 of five thousand denominations” said CIP Kanamugire.
Police as since handed over the case to Rwanda Investigations Bureau (RIB) and so far investigators are investigating the source of the fake money and will establish if fake currency notes were being circulated in the area.
CIP Kanamugire urged the public to know the security features of the genuine currency notes.
He thanked the conduct of residents who informed police to have Niyongere arrested and crime foiled.
Article 601 0f the penal code stipulates any person who fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies or alters coins, which are legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, bills issued by the State and bearing its stamp or emblem, banknotes, authorised notes or any other related effects used in Rwanda or abroad, or any person who introduces or issues on the Rwandan territory bills or notes which are legal tender with knowledge that they are counterfeit or altered, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to 7 years.
