The Zambia Police Service in Northern Province has apprehended four suspects in connection with being in possession and circulation of counterfeit Zambian Kwacha notes.
This follows a tip-off by a Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU) member who reported the matter to the police following an incident that occurred on May 25, 2026, around 19:30 hours.
This was after the suspect allegedly deposited counterfeit notes to various booths in Kasama district.
Northern Division Police Commanding Officer Simunji Mulonda says brief facts are that the suspect allegedly deposited K1,200 suspected counterfeit notes at one of the booths before being apprehended by the alert community members.
He says two more booth attendants later reported that the same suspect had deposited suspected counterfeit notes amounting to K2,000 and K1,400, respectively, at their booths.
“Police officers rushed to the scene and found the suspect in possession of K5,500 suspected counterfeit notes,” he said.
Subsequent investigations led to the apprehension of three other suspects and the recovery of K27,000 suspected counterfeit in K500 notes, bringing the total recovery to K33,500 suspected counterfeit notes.
Mr Simunji says the four suspects are currently detained in Police custody for the subject offence while investigations continue.
Mr Simunji has cautioned farmers, booth attendants, marketers, and business operators to remain vigilant during the current harvest season, as some fraudulent briefcase businessmen and women may attempt to purchase maize and other agricultural produce using counterfeit money.
“The public may wish to note that during last year’s harvest season, Police in Kasama apprehended a suspect found in possession of counterfeit notes amounting to K750,000 which were allegedly intended for the purchase of maize from unsuspecting farmers,” Mr Mulonda said.
“Farmers are therefore encouraged to transact through banks or sell their produce through established institutions such as the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in order to minimise the risk of receiving counterfeit currency,” he added.
Names of the suspects and the specific place of occurrence have been withheld due to ongoing investigations.
