Police in Gasabo District is holding two men who are suspected of making and distributing fake currencies.
The suspects, Straton Niyigena and Mfitumukiza Emmanuel were arrested red-handed on January 9 in Jabana Sector with fake notes valued at Rwf60, 000, all in Rwf5, 000 denominations.
They were identified and reported by a Tigo Cash agent, whom they had tried to dupe to deposit the fake monies on their mobile accounts, Police said.
“When they approached the Tigo Cash agent, Niyigena claimed he wanted to send the money to his wife, but the number he gave the agent was instead registered on him and when the agent verified the money, he realized that 35 notes had a similar serial number while the other 25 notes also had a similar number,” said Supt. Modeste Mbabazi, police spokesperson for the central region.
“The agent immediately called police and officers intervened and arrested the suspects before fleeing the scene.”
“Counterfeit currency poses a serious threat to national economies, financial institutions and consumers worldwide this is why we need to fight it. A strong network of partnerships between the law enforcement, private sector is integral to fighting,” he said.
He urged the public to always report such people, and appealed to mobile banking agents to be vigilant at all times, as the most targeted group.
Currency counterfeit or circulation of legal tender is punishable under articles 601 to 604 of the penal code, with a jail sentence of up to seven years.
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