The suspects; Vedaste Uwimana, 25, and his spouse Jeannette Tuyishimire, 18, were arrested after defrauding a trader in a shop where they bought goods and two mobile money agents, whom they paid fake bills after depositing money on their mobile account.

According to the Eastern region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the suspects were apprehended following a tip-off by the victims.

"On Thursday, November 25, Police received information almost at the same time from three different victims, who had been defrauded by the couple," CIP Twizeyimana said.

"Uwimana had paid a fake bill of Frw5,000 at the shop located in Akabungo cell of Mugesera sector after buying sugar and body lotion.

Shortly after, another report from Nyamugari cell in the same sector indicated that Tuyishimire (wife to Uwimana) had also defrauded two mobile money agents after they deposited Rwf25,000 and 35,000 on her account and she paid them with fake bills in the denominations of Rwf5, 000,” CIP Twizeyimana added.

An operation, he added, was swiftly conducted and the suspects were arrested at their home in Gisenyi Village, Nyamugari Cell and handed over to RIB at Zaza station.

"Law enforcement organs are still working together to find out the source of the fake money and other members of the group that either counterfeit or circulate fake bills."

Article 269 of Law No 68/2018 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 years and not more than seven years.