{Rwanda National Police has called on the public to keep alert on fake currency notes following the arrest of Jean Edson Bizimana, 27, last week in Mukarange sector of Kayonza district with equipment used in counterfeit notes production. }
“We conducted intensive investigations that led us to Bizimana. We found him at his house as he was in the process of printing. He had prepared some papers that he was to use to make fake currency notes. The suspect is held at Mukarange police station” said Eastern Region Police spokesperson, Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi.
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 Police and residents, according to Kayigi.
He added that, “Police is at the forefront of stopping the practice of making and distributing fake money in the economy, and we have the capacity in terms of knowledge and skills to protect our country from this act. We however urge the public to be more vigilant and watch out for these criminals and report them in time.”
He said the public should be more vigilant since counterfeit peddlers are taking advantage of the unsuspecting public to proliferate fake money.
“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. Therefore, it is the responsibility of everyone to fight it by reporting immediately whenever it’s detected or occurs,” Kayigi said.
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.
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