Rwanda National Police

A man suspected of either forging or circulating fake money was arrested on Tuesday in Remera Sector, Huye District.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the Southern region police spokesperson, said Jean Marie Vianney Renzaho was found with 450 Euros (approximately Rwf450,000), all fake, at the time of his arrest.

“He was at the time attempting to exchange the fake Euros into local currency at a forex bureau, but the notes in the denomination of 50 Euros, were noticed by the attendant, they called the Police and the suspect was arrested at the scene,” CIP Karekezi said.

He explained that most of these criminals are reported by forex bureaus and mobile banking agents where they attempt to defraud them

“We encourage people to be the eyes and ears everywhere, and be vigilant to avoid losses and ensure that such criminals are arrested,” the spokesperson 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 years and not more than seven years.”