Police arrest Gasper Lipenga over fake Malawi kwacha
Police in Lilongwe have arrested Gasper Lipenga, suspected of circulating fake banknotes amounting to K1 million around the Capital.
Lipenga, 33, was arrested at Area 25 Township after he tried to use a fake K1,000 to buy a pack of milk, but the shopkeeper discovered the banknote was not real.
Kanengo Police publicist Salomy Chibwana confirmed both the incident and arrest, which happened at Nsungwi Market.
“We got a tip from the shopkeeper and we arrested Lipenga after he was found in possession of the fake banknotes,” said Chibwana.
The Police publicist indicated that the accused was found with banknotes in different denominations.
She further told Nyasa Times that during interrogation, Lipenga claimed he got the banknotes from some Zambian nationals as payment for “some business”.
As of Thursday, the authorities said they were still investigating to establish whether the suspect had more fake currency elsewhere.
Chibwana however indicated that the suspect would be appearing before court on Friday, 13 December 2013.
Meanwhile, Police say with the latest scanning and printing technology, cases of phony currencies are now on the increase; hence the general public must always be alert, especially during the festive season.
