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Some of the counterfeit banknotes
The Malawi Police Service (MPS) calls people to be on their guard against fraudsters who are producing and circulating fake currencies in the country.
The call follows the arrest of seven people in Mangochi and Lilongwe who were found with fake notes in Malawi Kwacha and United States Dollars plus equipment suspected to be used in the printing of the counterfeit currencies.
Police in Mangochi recently arrested a Malawian, identified as Panganani William aged 21 who was found buying food commodities at Mangochi main market using fake notes. He was found in possession of K300,000 in K5000 fake banknotes bearing AE3726680 and AA4725124 serial numbers.
On Sunday, February 19, 2023 police at Fort Maguire in Mangochi also arrested a Rwandan and Burundian who are suspected to be behind the production of the fake banknotes. The two suspects have been identified as Manuel Saidi, 19 and Amosi Sean, 30 respectively.
In a related development, on February 16, 2023 police in Lilongwe arrested four people over possession and usage of fake Malawi Kwacha and United States Dollar bank notes. The four are identified as David Nthakayawina, 22, Mazuzo Wawande, 30, James Umali, 36, and Abuduh Kaloti, 64.
Police urge people to report any possession of suspected fake bank notes or dealings in the same to police or to the Reserve Bank of Malawi to ensure that such culprits do not defraud innocent people.