Rwanda National Police

Two men were arrested on Thursday in Kirehe District for allegedly guising as employees of Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUCL) and conning unsuspecting residents.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that the operation to arrest the duo was conducted jointly by Police and investigators in Kirehe.

He identified the suspects as Jean Pierre Rutayisire, 28, and Jean de Dieu Bakundakumenya, 28, who were arrested in Nasho Sector, Rubirizi Cell at about 5pm as they attempted to defraud some residents.

"Rutayisire and Bakundakumenya are suspected to have been going around telling people that they work for EUCL. They would also go ahead and take money from them people that want to connect electricity in their houses promising them that they will get them cashpower (power metre)," CIP Kanamugire explained.

"The operation was informed by reports from residents including some of the victims. The suspects are now in the hands of RIB and any further arrests of other people that could be connected to this will depend on investigations by our counterpart or from the people if they provide more information," the spokesperson said.

Article 318 of the penal code stipulates that “any person who, intentionally obtains a property belonging to another person fraudulently or by using false names or qualities, to give rise to hope or fear of harm and obtains a part or whole of a fortune shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of 3 years to 5 years and a fine of up to Rwf 5 million.”