Rwanda National Police

A man, who was masquerading as an employee of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) was arrested on Monday, June 13, in Akabanda Village, Rwikubo Cell of Rurenge Sector in Ngoma District where he was allegedly attempting to fleece two local traders of Frw620,000.

Valentin Habyarimana, 36, who was found with a forged RDB service card, was guising as a member of the team fighting outlawed and expired goods, and traders, who are not using Electronic Billing Machine (EBM).

Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Habyarimana had issued receipts to two traders, whom he had threatened to pay a fine of combined Frw620,000.

"Habyarimana first went to two shops owned by Theoneste Nkuranga and Clementine Mukankusi, whom he was trying to defraud Frw320,000 and Frw300,000, respectively. He issued them receipts and continued to other shops, but the first two would-be victims called the Police immediately after suspecting him to be a conman.

Police arrested him red-handed as he received the money and handed him over to RIB at Kibungo station," SP Twizeyimana explained.

Article 279 of the law determining offences and penalties states that; any person who, without tittle usurps public, civil or military functions or poses the acts of one of these functions or falsely attributes to himself/herself the quality of a public official or publicly wears a costume, a uniform, badge or an emblem with an intention to mislead the public, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years and not more than three years, with a fine of not less than Frw300,000 and not more than Frw500,000.

Obtaining property of another person by deception, under article 174 of the same law, is punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than 2 years and not more than 3 years, and a fine of not less than Frw3 million and not more than Frw5 million.