Rwanda National Police

A man in Remera Sector, Gasabo District has been arrested for using false currency, as Rwanda National Police (RNP) continues its operations to wipe out the scourge.

The Suspect, Deodatus Mbarushimana, is accused of using counterfeit money to con an MTN Mobile money agent on September 21, when he attempted to deposit fakes amounting to Rwf500,000 to his mobile money account.

However, upon receiving the fake notes, the agent became suspicious and stealthily alerted police officers in the area, who immediately apprehended the suspect.

The Police Spokesperson for Central Region, Superintendent Modeste Mbabazi, revealed that upon his arrest, the police officers requested a nearby bank branch to ascertain the nature of the currency notes – and they affirmed that they were indeed counterfeits.

He is currently held at Remera Police Station as further investigations continue.

“All the notes were of a value of Rwf2000 each, amounting to Rwf500,000. The mobile money agent acted fast and wisely to report to police, otherwise, that would have been a terrible loss to make in one day,” Superintendent Mbabazi said.

“Making or passing counterfeit notes is a criminal offence and should be reported. RNP takes counterfeiting very seriously and responds by working with residents to crack down on criminal rings that make counterfeits in society.”

He noted that mobile money agents, forex exchange bureaus, restaurants and other entities that deal with direct money flows are usually targeted by counterfeit distributors, and urged them to work with police and other law enforcers to monitor and respond to counterfeiting activity.

“We always sensitize Rwandans, especially those who handle cash on the job to quickly check bank notes before they agree to any transaction," he said.

"The Business fraternity should use modern technology machines that detect bank notes – and although it may not be very convenient, it will save them from such criminals who use counterfeit notes,” he said.

Penal Code article 604 stipulates that any person who counterfeits or circulates forged currency is liable to a term of imprisonment between five and seven years and a fine two times to ten times the value of the counterfeits.