Seven people are on trial at Nyarugenge Intermediate Court over the alleged theft of $260,189 from BPR Bank Rwanda through its electronic payment system.
Prosecutors say former BPR IT employee Manirakiza Obed moved customers’ cards from the stronger 3D authentication system to the less secure 2D option, allowing payments to pass with fewer checks. They also allege he gave some defendants access to CyberSource, the bank’s payment platform, and that messages between them show coordination.
The transactions reportedly began on August 7, 2025, after which customers complained of unauthorised withdrawals. BPR suspended affected cards in October and shut down the system under investigation.
The other defendants are hotel owner Uwitonze Jean Paul, mining company owner Bikorimana Innocent, commission agent Bayingana Denis, former hotel employee Urimubenshi Dismas, Nzatunga Ruvuguta Emmanuel and Mutangana Parfait Sixbert. Prosecutors allege some of the proceeds went through Uwitonze’s hotel, including transactions worth $127,000.
All seven deny wrongdoing. Manirakiza says he was assisting customers and was not responsible for choosing the authentication system. Others say their transactions were legitimate business dealings or that they did not knowingly participate.
The BPR case is not the only recent bank fraud investigation in Rwanda.
A separate probe into alleged fraud at Equity Bank involved 35 suspects and about Rwf4.7 billion in affected transactions, according to Taarifa Rwanda.
The defendants face charges including fraud, identity fraud, misuse of computer systems and money laundering.
Prosecutors are seeking 10-year prison terms for each; BPR is seeking $287,760 in compensation. Judgment is scheduled for December 11, 2026.
