Police in Huye District seized Euro 24,800 (about Rwf19 million) in counterfeit currencies and arrested six people, including a head teacher, in connection with the fake money.

According to the Southern Province Police spokesperson, CSP Hubert Gashagaza, the arrest followed a tip-off that there was fake money in circulation.

"Among the suspects we have in custody include the head teacher of ES Rukira, Cassien Muganwa, who was arrested in possession of fake €24,800. Investigations are still going on to ascertain if there are more counterfeits in circulation or if there are more people connected to the case,” said Gashagaza.

Meanwhile, by the time of the arrest, the suspects had already traded €9,900 of the counterfeit with a businessman identified as Dieudonne Ntaganzwa, in exchange of Rwf3 million.

According to Gashagaza, the suspects were arrested in Tumba Sector of Huye District and are currently being held at Huye Police Station.

"Counterfeits have an effect on the economy of the country and we urge the public to always report such cases since counterfeit money also affects their incomes,” he said.

The arrest of the six comes a few days after that of Egide Ndagijimana and Solomon Nzigira who were arrested in Kirehe District after allegedly being found with $400 of fake notes.

Earlier, Police in Burera District had also arrested Innocent Ndayambaje with 38 counterfeit notes of Rwf5,000 denomination. The suspect was arrested as he attempted to buy tea from a restaurant using fake currency.

Gashagaza warned those involved in either counterfeiting or circulating fake currency notes that Police are on the watch and that "no one will walk away with it.”

"There are strategies in place to curb this crime before it escalates; there’s a unit charged with fighting such crimes, working with financial institutions, but also awareness programmes,” Gashagaza said.