Rwanda National Police

Three suspected fraudsters have been arrested in Nyarugenge District, where they were trying to defraud a businessman.

Sad Iradukunda, Innocent Nzeyimana and Alexis Nyandwi were arrested red handed on November 10.

Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, Supt. Emmanuel Hitayezu, said that the trio, on the day of their arrest, approached the businessman dealing in electric materials, and ordered electricity cables worth Rwf5.520, 000.

"They asked the businessman to given them his account where they would deposit the money before taking the materials; they left to deposit the money, and the businessman received a message that the money had been deposited on his account," Supt. Hitayezu explained.

He added: "They came back with a bank-slip, but the businessman got suspicious and called the police. Officers arrested the trio as they were trying to load the goods. When investigators went to the bank, they found out that the money wasn't deposited on the account, and the said bank-slip was forged."

"Investigations are still underway to find out how they managed to secure and send the SMS banking message," he said.

"Just by suspecting a fowl play, inform the police in time because a second thought can cost you, and we are always ready to respond in time. If this businessman hadn't believed in his instincts, for example, he would be counting losses; of course the suspect would eventually be arrested but that would be another process to recover his money," Supt. Hitayezu said.

The suspect are facing charges of forgery and fraud.

Obtaining the property of another person by fraud, under article 318 of the penal code attracts a prison sentence of between three and fives years.