Man arrested while trying to cash-in counterfeit money through Airtel agent

Police in Mponela, Dowa have arrested a 47 year old man at Nambuma Trading Centre for attempting to deposit fake currency with a face value of K440, 000 into Airtel Money.

The man who has been identified as Chimwemwe Masanje of Chioza Village, traditional authority Kayembe in Dowa was arrested on Thursday night of September 3, 2020.

According to Mponela Police Station Public Relations Officer, Inspector Kaitano Lubrino, Masanje approached an Airtel Money agent at the Trading Centre to deposit the cash into value but after realizing that the notes were counterfeit he was denied.

“Later, a well-wisher immediately tipped police who rushed and arrested the man. Police confiscated the fake currency which had a face value of K440, 000 in K2,000 notes. The suspected counterfeit money are all bearing two different serial numbers of AJ 572 5247 115 notes and AJ 572 5248. The notes will be sent to the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) for examinations of its authenticity,” explained Kaitano.

Chimwemwe Masanje will answer charges of importing or purchasing forged notes, which is contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code once investigations are over.

Meanwhile, police in the district are urging community members to continue being vigilant in order to contain circulation of fake currency in the country.

Counterfeit money is an imitation currency produced without the legal sanction of the state or government, usually in a deliberate attempt to imitate that currency and so as to deceive its recipient.