QNET, a global leader in direct selling focused on wellness and lifestyle products, strongly disassociates itself from a fraudulent operation exposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
In a release, the operation, referred to as a “Ponzi scheme academy,” misused the QNET name and led to the arrest of 133 individuals.
These individuals were reportedly running a fake entity under names like “Q University” or “Q-Net,” without any affiliation to QNET.
QNET applauded the EFCC and Nigerian Army for taking swift action in exposing and arresting individuals involved in the scam. “We are also taking immediate steps to support the investigation and prevent further misuse of our brand.”
Quoting the EFCC, the company said the arrests were made following actionable intelligence on the existence of the so-called academy in the Compensation Layout area of Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
QNET in the release further disclosed that it has long been a victim of fraudulent schemes in Nigeria. “These scams have significantly harmed our reputation and misled many unsuspecting individuals. We reiterate that QNET is a legitimate e-commerce-based direct selling company that empowers Independent Distributors to promote high-quality wellness and lifestyle products in over 25 countries. We do not operate any financial recruitment schemes or “investment academies.”
In Nigeria, the release added that QNET operates strictly within legal and regulatory frameworks through its local partner, Transblue Nigeria Limited.
According to
Biram Fall, Regional General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, “We are deeply concerned about the continued misuse of our brand by individuals attempting to deceive the public. QNET has been a victim of fraudulent activities aimed at damaging our reputation. We urge the public to verify any claims of affiliation with QNET before getting involved. We remain committed to supporting law enforcement agencies in their efforts to bring these fraudsters to justice.”
QNET said that
since entering the Nigerian market in 2022, QNET and Transblue Nigeria Limited have prioritized financial literacy and consumer protection.
It said “In November 2023, we launched the Say NO! Awareness Campaign to educate the public about scams and promote responsible entrepreneurship. The campaign has reached thousands through multilingual billboards, radio messages, educational pamphlets, and online platforms. As part of this campaign, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) were also engaged.”
It stated that QNET and Transblue Nigeria Limited have formally reached out to the EFCC to offer their full cooperation and explore opportunities for collaboration. “We are committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and ensuring that those misusing the QNET brand are held accountable.”
The company also directed the public on how they can stay safe. “To protect yourself from scams falsely linked to QNET:
Verify all QNET-related information at: www.qnet.net; Report suspicious activity via email: network.integrity@qnet.net or WhatsApp: +233 256 630 005; Learn how to identify scams at: www.saynocampaign.org
QNET remains fully committed to ethical business practices and transparency. We stand with Nigerian authorities in protecting citizens from fraud and will continue to cooperate fully to bring those misusing our brand to justice.
