Rwanda National Police

Police in Gasabo District arrested two people suspected of circulating counterfeit currencies.

Cyprien Mbarushimana and Emmanuel Mfashwanayo were arrested separately on Thursday.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said that Mbarushimana was apprehended in Remera Sector in possession of a fake US$100 note.

Mfashwanayo, on the other hand, was arrested in Gatsata Sector with counterfeit money amounting to Rwf35, 000.  

"Mbarushimana was trying to exchange the fake dollar note at a forex bureau, where it was identified before calling the Police," CIP Umutesi said.

She added: "In the case of Mfashwanayo, he gave another person a note of Rwf5000 to buy for him some goods in a shop in Gatsata, but the fake note was noticed by the shop attendant, who called the Police.

This person led the Police to Mfashwanayo, who was also found with other six counterfeit notes in the denominations of Rwf5, 000."

It is the second time that Mfashwanayo has been arrested in similar financial crimes.
 
CIP Umutesi cautioned the general public against counterfeiting or circulating fake money, which is "criminal and hurting people's businesses and the economy in general."

She called for vigilance and timely information sharing on people suspected to be engaged in these criminal acts.

"Majority of those arrested in these financial crimes were identified by the would-be victims, which is crucial to prevent business losses but also to ensure that suspects face justice."

According to article 269 of Rwandan Penal Code, 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.