Rwanda National Police

A man suspected of either counterfeiting or circulating fake currency notes, was arrested on Thursday January 26, in Kamonyi District.

Salatiel Nizeyimana, 27, a trader in Runda, could not succeed in executing his plan after the Police arrested him outside one of the bank branches in Ruyenzi Cell, Runda Sector, with counterfeit dollar bills amounting to US$2550 (over Frw2.7 million).

The 51 counterfeit bills were in the denominations of $50.

It is suspected that at the time, Nizeyimana was targeting the same bank branch to exchange the fake dollar bills.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that Nizeyimana was reported by residents privy to his criminal dealings.

"Concerned residents informed the Police that Nizeyimana is dealing in counterfeit money. Police officers trailed him to a bank branch in Ruyenzi where he was arrested with counterfeits amounting to 2550 dollars," CIP Habiyaremye said.

Nizeyimana claimed that he got the counterfeit money from a woman, but could not divulge further details.

CIP Habiyaremye thanked residents, who reported Nizeyimana's criminal acts and called upon to public and the business community in particular, to always be vigilant against such fraudsters and to swiftly share information on anyone they suspect to be engaged in these economic crimes.

Nizeyimana is one of many people that have been arrested in similar crimes.

Early this month, Police in Bugesera District foiled an attempt by two men, to print counterfeit dollar bills amounting to US$100,000, approximately Frw108,500,000.

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.