On Monday, March 15, Rwanda National Police arrested four men in Nyarubaya Village, Mataba Cell of Kayenzi Sector in Kamonyi District, who were attempting to fleece a local resident of Frw500, 000 using fake dollar notes.
Those arrested are Jean Baptiste Uwiringiyimana, 38, Aphrodice Singirankabo, 47, Jean Baptiste Sibomana, 41, and Valens Niyitegeka, 34.
All the suspects hail from Rusizi District. They were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Kayenzi station.
The Southern Province Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said the quartet had a bundle of papers cut like dollar currency notes, which they were using to fleece one Eric Nsengimana of Frw500,000.
Nsengimana, SP Kanamugire said, called the Police reporting a group of men, whom he suspected to be fraudsters and had targeted him.
“They had cut papers in the size of dollar notes, covered them on either sides with notes of genuine dollars and stashed them in a small box.
They approached Nsengimana, tried to make him believe that the box contained US$100,000 and would give it to him for just Frw500,000,” SP Kanamugire said.
On suspicion that these were conmen trying to extort money from him, Nsengimana called the Police and the four men were arrested red-handed.
SP Kanamugire urged the population to always be vigilant against such deception.
“It is essential to be vigilant before making any such transaction. You might see this as a lucrative deal and end up falling prey. Think twice; it is not possible for someone to give you US$100 for Frw500 or rather US$100,000 for Frw500,000.”
With the current exchange rate, US$100,000 is equivalent to Frw99.8 million.
Article 269 0f Law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states 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 (5) years and not more than seven (7) years.
Article 174, any person who, by deception, obtains another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or who offers positive promises or who threatens of future misfortunes, commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two (2) years and not more than three (3) years, and a fine of not less than three million Rwandan francs (FRW 3,000,000) and not more than five million Rwandan francs (FRW 5,000,000). (End)