Man arrested with fake Malawi Kwacha  worth K150,000

Malawi police in the central district of Kasungu are keeping in custody a 32-year-old man identified as Given Gaga for being found in possession of fake local currency amounting to K151,000.00.

The suspect, police said, was arrested last month after he started using the fake local currency to purchase groceries from some chops in the district.

“On 26th January, 2016, the suspect went to a shop belonging to Hazwel Suphuka from Sopani village, T/A Chilowoko in Ntchisi district to buy milk. He produced a K1000 note which, after a close look, the shop owner realized was not a real bank note,” explained Edna Mzingwitsa Kasungu police Public Relations Officer.

Mzingwitsa added: “The shop owner confronted the suspect who then fished out a K500 bank note which was an original one. Then the suspect demanded the alleged fake K1000 note back which Hazwel Suphuka denied”.

The shop owner with help of community members probed the suspect who later on revealed that the bank note was indeed fake.

“Fearing the people that kept on gathering, the suspect handed over the alleged fake cash amounting to K151, 000 (K1OOO notes)”.

The alleged fake bank notes have since been sent to Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) for examination.

Gaga is expected to appear before court to answer to the charge of being Found in Possession of Fake Currency when investigations are completed.

Gaga hails from Gaga village, T/A Lukwa in Kasungu district.