Rwanda National Police

A man identified as Firmin Habumugisha as is currently under custody at Remera Police Station in, after he was arrested  distributing fake currency for transport services from a special hire taxi.

Another suspect is still at large, after he fled the scene when he noticed that his partner in crime had been apprehended.

“The two are suspected of working together to distribute fake currency by purchasing different goods and services. We searched the suspect and found him in possession with six fake Rwf5000 notes. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the second suspect and others who are in the act,”Police Spokesperson for Central Region, SP Modeste Mbabazi, said.

The suspect was arrested following a tip off from the special hire driver, who noticed that he had been given fake money by his two passengers.

SP Mbabazi commended the driver for his actions and reminded the general public to work with Police in the element of community policing, by providing timely information that can lead to the arrest of suspects or the prevention of criminal activities.

Counterfeit or forged money is not considered a major problem in Rwanda, but one cannot ignore the fact that there are forged currency notes in circulation, in various denominations, and can haunt the economy if not checked collectively at an early stage.

Articles 601 to 602 of the Rwandan penal code criminalize and punish those who falsify or alter coins and bills which are legal tender. The articles also punish those, who knowingly circulates fake monies and those who acquires fake currencies unknowingly, but circulates them after discovering they are counterfeit.