Rwanda National Police

Police in Huye District arrested two people on Sunday, October 15, after they were found in possession of counterfeit money amounting to Frw65,000.

One of the suspects aged 39, was found with counterfeits amounting to Frw60,000 while the other was caught with a fake note of Frw5000.

"They were arrested on Sunday in Agakera village, Rango cell in Mukura sector, at about 9a.m, after the would-be victim at a shop where they were trying to buy goods with a counterfeit note, called the Police," Superintendent of Police (SP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said.

He added: "One of the suspects bought a soap and paid a note of Frw5,000, but the shop attendant noticed that it was fake prompting him to call the police.

"It was later revealed that he had an accomplice, who was located and arrested after Police found him with other counterfeit notes amounting to Frw60,000, in the denominations of Frw5,000."

The duo and their exhibits, was handed over to RIB at Ngoma for further investigations.

SP Habiyaremye warned against such high impact financial crimes, and called upon the public to share information on anyone they suspect to be involved.

He also urged traders to always be vigilant against such fraudsters.

Article 269 of law No 68/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general, 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.