Rwanda National Police

Timely alerts from the public to police will ensure that criminals who spread counterfeit money are stopped before they can cause damage to the economy.

This message was delivered by the Rwanda National Police Spokesperson, CSP Celestin Twahirwa, in a bid to halt such crimes wherever they may occur in Rwanda.

Although cases of counterfeit currency are still low in Rwanda, some cases still do occur – but they are usually thwarted through a productive partnership between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and residents, according to CSP Twahirwa.

A case in point happened in Kicukiro District, Niboye Sector on November 8, where a suspect – Venaste Habiyambere - was arrested while trying to deposit fake notes worth Rwf27, 000 in one of the popular bank branches. He was reported by the bank staff and police immediately arrested him.

Another case occurred on the same day in Bugesera District, Mayange Sector, where three suspects were rounded up by police as they conducted a shopping spree with counterfeits worth Rwf105, 000. A trader had alerted police in the area about their activities prior to the arrest.

In Kimisagara, Nyarugenge District, another suspect Ezechiel Ndikumana, 30 years, was arrested at a mobile phone shop as he attempted to buy a handset using fake notes worth Rwf55, 000.

“All these  interventions were successfully enabled by the good police-public partnership,” said CSP Twahirwa, adding that this cooperation should continue to flourish since it has yielded tangible results.

“The crime of using counterfeit currency is very dangerous if it goes undetected – and has serious consequences to the economy such as inflation and causing losses to legitimate traders,” he said.

“Therefore, it is the responsibility of everyone to fight it by reporting it immediately whenever it’s detected or occurs.”

He also reminded traders and mobile money agents to verify the money they receive to avoid falling prey, and be quick to report to nearby security organs for immediate intervention.

The crime of knowingly using or making counterfeit money attracts a jail term of five to seven years, according to article 601 of the penal code.