The suspect identified as Jean Marie Vianney Hagenimana was handed over to RIB at Kinigi station after he was arrested in Rugari Village, Kamwumba Cell of Nyange Sector where he was trying to defraud a mobile money agent to deposit on his mobile account counterfeits amounting to Rwf42,000.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) said that Hagenimana’s arrest followed a tip off from the mobile money agent who, after realising that the currency notes received from the suspect was counterfeit, called the Police.

"Upon receiving a call from the would-be victim, Police immediately arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect after discovering that the money; eight notes in the denominations of Rwf5,000 and one note of Rwf2,000, he had paid to the agent, were counterfeit," SP Ndayisenga said.

SP Ndayisenga called for vigilance against such "criminal individuals or groups," and to share information in time on anyone suspected to be counterfeiting or circulating fake monies.

Counterfeit money, if not prevented, can lead to massive negative impact on the country’s economy and people’s businesses.

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.