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Kinyarwanda
Police in Ngororero District is holding one Aphrodis Serihamye, 46, for either counterfeiting or circulating fake currency.
Serihamye, who hails from Muhanga District, was caught red-handed in possession of Rwf14, 000, in the denomination of Rwf2, 000, all counterfeit.
He was at the time of his arrest attempting to clear bills in Rubona trading centre using the forged notes, police said.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Western region police spokesperson, confirmed that the suspect is being detained at Rubona police station.
“He was reported people at the bar, where he was trying to pay his bills using the fake notes,” CIP Kanamugire said.
“Investigations are still underway to establish the source of the counterfeit notes and to ensure that everyone connected to this financial crime is brought to justice,” he added.
He called for vigilance to ensure no one falls prey and those involved arrested and prosecuted.
Key security features to recognize a genuine banknote include a 3mm security thread, a Coat of Arm of the Republic of Rwanda that can be noticed when the bill is exposed to light.
Article 604 of the Rwandan penal code states that using or circulating, by any means, items misrepresented as money or negotiable instruments shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of two to five years and a fine of two to ten times the value of the counterfeit money.
