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Kinyarwanda
Police in Nyagatare District arrested two people on Monday in possession of counterfeit currency notes.
Alice Nzayisenga, 22, and Casian Twagirayezu, 23, were at the time found with fake notes amounting to Rwf15, 000, in the denominations of Rwf5, 000.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Eastern region Police spokesperson said that suspects were arrested due to information given by the would-be victims.
“Nzayisenga and Twagirayezu were in the bar; at the time of paying the bill for their drinks they paid a fake note of Rwf5, 000, fortunate enough the manager was able to detect it and he alerted the Police," CIP Twizeyimana said.
He added: "At that moment, the suspects also tempted to deposit Rwf5, 000 on a mobile account of one of them but the agent also noticed that the note was fake. When Police officers arrived they searched them and recovered another fake note of Rwf5, 000."
CIP Twizeyimana commended the vigilance of the would-be victims and timely sharing of information that facilitated the arrest of the duo.
He further advised people to avoid "criminal shortcuts" and work hard.
“This is a criminal act that has ill effects on people's business; it is another form of conning people."
“Money counterfeit has negative effects on the economy; people should understand that and play their role in fighting this financial crime through reporting and sharing information whenever they see or suspect anyone involved,” the spokesperson emphasized.
Article 269 of the penal code 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 (5) years and not more than seven (7) years.”
