The suspect identified as Francois Tuyishime, 28, was arrested in Rebero Village of Kabeza Cell.
According to the District Police Commander (DPC) for Kicukiro, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jeannette Masozera, the suspect was arrested due to a tip off by a mobile money agent, whom Tuyishime was attempting to defraud.
“Police received information on Sunday at about 7pm, from a mobile money agent in Rebero, that Tuyishime paid her with counterfeit money amounting to Rwf10,000 in denominations of 5,000 after depositing equal amount on his mobile account. Police swiftly conducted an operation and arrested the suspect at the scene,” said SSP Masozera.
She added: “After his arrest, Tuyishime was searched and Police officers recovered other counterfeit bills amounting to Rwf108,000, which he claimed that he got it from a man whom he sold his mobile in Remera. Counterfeit bills amounting to Rwf95,000 were in the denominations of Rwf5, 000 and Rwf13,000 in denominations of 1,000.”
SSP Masozera warned against such criminal actions, which pose ill effects on the national economy and people’s businesses.
The DPC thanked the would be victim for the vigilance leading to the arrest of the suspect.
The suspect was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Kanombe station for further investigation.
Article 269 of law No 68/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general, 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/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.
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