By Juliet Umeh

Direct selling company focused on wellness and lifestyle products, QNET, has disassociated itself from a fraudulent operation exposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Abuja.
The operation, referred to as a “Ponzi scheme academy,” misused the QNET name, leading 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 with QNET.
The firm has applauded the EFCC and the Nigerian Army for taking swift action in exposing and arresting those involved in the scam.
According to a statement made available to Vanguard by QNET: “We are also taking immediate steps to support the investigation and prevent further misuse of our brand.
“According to the EFCC, 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 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, QNET operates strictly within legal and regulatory frameworks through our local partner, Transblue Nigeria Limited.”
Regional General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Biram Fall, commented: “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.”
He added: “Since entering the Nigerian market in 2022, QNET and Transblue Nigeria Limited have prioritized financial literacy and consumer protection.
“In November 2023, we launched 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.
“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.”