Rwanda National Police

A man identified as Fulgence Bikorimana, 36, was arrested on April 5, in Kamenge, Kigali Sector of Nyarugenge District in connection with making and circulating fake money.

Police said the arrest followed a tip-off from the would-be victim. The suspect hails from Kivumu Sector in Rutsiro District.

“Bikorimana approached a local trade in Kamenge trading centre and told him that he had a machine that makes money, and would supply him, which prompted the would-be victim to call in the Police,” said Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie Gorett Umutesi said.

“Police officers were deployed and they found Bikorimana at his house in Giti k’inyoni with assorted tools he was using to counterfeit currency notes, including a machine, ink, papers and other colours the suspect was using to make fake monies,” she added.

Bikorimana was handed over Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Kimisagara station.

CIP Umutesi thanked the trader for “saying no to criminality” and reporting the suspect to face justice.

“You have to take precaution to protect your business against such criminal approaches,” she said.

Counterfeit, falsification or alteration of currency or monetary signs or their distribution is criminalized under article 269 of the penal code.

It 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 (5) years and not more than seven (7) years.”