Rwanda National Police

Police in City of Kigali have arrested two men identified as Michel Nkotanyi, 27 and Benjamin Butare, 25 in connection with counterfeiting money. 

The suspects were arrested separately on Thursday and Friday. 

Butare was arrested in Ndera Sector, Gasabo while Nkotanyi was arrested in Gatenga Sector, Kicukiro District. 

They were arrested in possession of combined Rwf560, 000 in Rwf5, 000 denominations.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for Central the region, said that Police also recovered from the suspects different materials they were using to make fake currency notes.

"We first arrested Butare on Thursday after paying a fake note to a cab driver, he later named Nkotanyi as his supplier. Nkotanyi counterfeits money while Butare distributes it," said CIP Umutesi.

She added: "Nkotanyi was traced and arrested Friday in possession of fake money amounting to Rwf560, 000 and Rwf220, 000 which he making, all in the denominations of Rwf5, 000. Police also recovered other 29 cartons of plain papers, which Nkotanyi was using to counterfeit the money."

The spokesperson thanked the cab driver, who availed timely information and facilitated in breaking the chain.

“We are reminding people to always be careful and vigilant while being paid or receiving cash to avoid falling prey, and to avail real time information on dealers or suppliers of fake monies."

Nkotanyi and Butare were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Ndera station for further management.

The article 269 of penal code 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.