Police in City of Kigali have arrested a man, who was attempting to circulate counterfeit money amounting to US$1500 (over Frw1,580,000).
Marcel Mfitumukiza, 55, was arrested at a forex bureau in Nyarugenge District, Nyarugenge Sector in Kiyovu Cell, Inyarurembo Village.
The counterfeits were in the denominations of $100 (10 bills) and other 10 bills in the denominations of $50.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali said that Mfitumukiza was reported by the forex bureau management after they noticed that all the dollar bills he was trying to exchange, were fake.
“When a teller at the forex bureau realized that the bills were counterfeit, they called the Police, Mfitumukiza was taken into custody and handed over to RIB,” CIP Twajamahoro said.
Meanwhile, Mfitumukiza disclosed that he got the fake notes from a woman, who hails from Bugesera District, whom he only identified as Chantal.
Mfitumukiza further told the Police that he met the said Chantal in Gahanga Sector, Kicukiro District after they were connected by another person, whose names he did not mention.
According to Mfitumukiza, the said Chantal was supposed to pay him Frw500,000 after completing the mission.
“Investigations are still underway to bring to justice everyone connected to this economic crime, which brings loses to business and economy in general,” CIP Twajamahoro said.
He urged the business community and the public in general to always be vigilant against such fraudulent individuals and groups.
He further called upon the public to share information on anyone they suspect to be circulating fake currencies or counterfeiting them.
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. (End)