Rwanda National Police

Three men were arrested Monday in Kicukiro District in connection with possession and circulating counterfeit currencies.

Daniel Niyonzima, 27, Madua Ndondo Safari, 46, and Tito Mukeshimana, 47, were at the time of their arrest found with two fake dollar notes in the denominations of US$100. They were also found with papers and colours, which they were using to forge dollar notes.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the Central Region, said that the successful operation was enabled by information provided by the would-be victim in Nyarugunga Sector, where they were arrested.

“It was recidivism; in July they conned a woman of Rwf5 million and gave her fake dollar notes. This time they were caught defrauding another person with fake US$200. Fortunate enough, the would-be victim suspected something was wrong and called the Police,” CIP Umutesi said.

The trio was arrested red-handed making fake dollar notes, which they were supposed to give to the would-be victim.

CIP Umutesi noted that such crimes are connected and usually conducted by the same groups of individuals. We urge the public to partner and disseminate information on anyone they suspect to be engaged in such financial crimes.

“Everyone has a role to play in fighting all sorts of criminality, maintaining safety and security. If you suspect or know someone to be engaged in any unlawful act, immediately alert Police,” CIP Umutesi said.

Article 269 of 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 or she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.