Electronic money agents have been advised to carefully check monies given to them to prevent falling prey.
They were also called upon to always be quick to report people who attempt to defraud them with counterfeit currency to be deposited or electronically sent to their personal or other people's mobile accounts.
The call follows the arrest, on Saturday, of a 22-year-old man identified as Fabrice Niyongabo in Gasabo District, Remera Sector, Nyarutarama Cell in Gishushu village, who was attempting to deposit fake currency notes amounting to Rwf10, 000, on someone's mobile account.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie Gorette Umutesi, Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said: “The suspect approached the agent, presented two notes of 5, 000 Frw to be electronically wired to the mobile account of one Eric Muhayimana.”
She further explained that the would-be victim checked the notes which she discovered to be fake, she informed informed authorities and The suspect was apprehended and handed over to Police.
The suspect was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Kimihurura station.
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.