Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) said the crackdown on people either counterfeiting or dealing in fake currencies continues to produce tangible results.

The reaction follows series of arrests of people said to be involved in this criminal financial business especially in the City of Kigali.

On Tuesday, one Joseph Twahirwa, 43, was arrested at a forex bureau in downtown Nyabugogo where he was trying to exchange US$350, all forged.

The bills were in the denominations of US$50.

Last week, three people were also arrested in Kigali with combined forged currencies amounting to Rwf70, 000, Ushs220, 000 and US$100.

Another dealer in forged currencies was arrested last month also in Kigali in possession of €3,450 (approx Rwf3.5 million) and US$3,000 (approx Rwf2.6 million), all forged.

Similar operations have also been conducted in Bugesera and Huye districts where three people were also arrested.

“Some suspects are arrested in targeted operations based on information sharing with the people, but in most cases they are apprehended by the would-be victims especially telecom banking agents and forex bureau attendants,” said Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kayigi, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said.

“We are seeing increased vigilance, which is paramount in ensuring that these criminals don’t succeed in their plans, but also bring them to justice,” he added.

According to article 269 of the new penal code, anyone convicted of counterfeit, falsification or alteration of currency or monetary signs or their distribution faces an imprisonment term of between five and seven years.

“Although currency counterfeit is not a big problem in Rwanda, we need to ensure that no fake bills penetrate the market. If you suspect someone to be engaged in these criminal acts just call the Police,” CIP Kayigi said.

The threat of counterfeiting of Rwandan currency stands as low as 0.001% of the currency in circulation, according to the National Bank of Rwanda.