International lifestyle and wellness company QNET has condemned the criminal misuse of its name in fraudulent recruitment and human trafficking schemes in Ghana and other parts of West and Central Africa.
The company said it had taken note of recent reports concerning operations by Ghanaian authorities involving individuals allegedly deceived through recruitment schemes using the QNET name.
According to QNET, 251 young people were rescued during an operation by the Ashanti Regional Police in the Bohyen–Ampabame area of Kumasi.
It added that the Minister for Foreign Affairs had separately indicated that more than 300 Ghanaians had been rescued or repatriated from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire since the beginning of 2025 in cases described as QNET-related.
QNET stressed that the activities were carried out by criminal networks that had misused its name and business model and were not connected to its legitimate operations.
The company said it does not offer employment, job placement, overseas jobs, visa processing, travel arrangements, investment opportunities or guaranteed income.
It said anyone demanding money in exchange for employment or travel opportunities while claiming to represent QNET was acting contrary to the company’s policies and Code of Ethics.
QNET said law-enforcement authorities refer to the misuse of QNET and other business names and business models by organised criminal networks as “Model Q”, which can facilitate fraudulent employment schemes and human trafficking.
The company said the criminal activity was distinct from its legitimate direct-selling business, which involves the sale of products through Independent Distributors.
QNET also highlighted its cooperation with Ghanaian authorities and other stakeholders, including the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Police Service, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Embassy of Burkina Faso and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
It said its collaboration with EOCO had resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding covering areas including public education, information sharing, repatriation assistance for victims and efforts to combat criminal activities involving the misuse of the QNET name.
According to the company, similar engagements have been extended to at least 12 other countries in West and Central Africa, where it is working with law-enforcement agencies to support efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
QNET Central and West Africa Regional General Manager, Cherif Sarr, said the company was concerned about reports of people being deceived through criminal schemes using its name.
“We are deeply concerned by reports of individuals being deceived through criminal schemes that misuse the QNET name,” he said, adding that the company welcomed efforts by Ghanaian authorities to rescue and protect vulnerable persons.
He said QNET had “zero tolerance” for fraud, human trafficking or misrepresentation of its business as an employment or guaranteed-income opportunity.
Sarr said the company remained ready to support investigations, share relevant information within the appropriate legal framework and strengthen public education to help people identify fraudulent schemes.
QNET also disclosed that its representatives met with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 7, 2026, to provide information about its business model, products, compliance framework and measures to address the criminal misuse of its name.
The company said it remained available for further discussions with the Ministry and other relevant authorities.
As part of its consumer-protection efforts, QNET said it had implemented its QNET Against Scams campaign in Ghana and other African markets to educate the public about fraudulent recruitment practices, common scam tactics and unauthorised use of its name.
It urged members of the public to verify claims through official channels before making payments or sharing personal or financial information.
QNET further said it maintains a compliance framework for its Independent Distributors, which prohibits promoting its business as a job opportunity, promising guaranteed earnings or making misleading representations about its products or business model.
The company said disciplinary action, including suspension or termination, could be taken where violations involving its Independent Distributors are established.
It urged anyone approached with offers of QNET-related jobs, overseas employment, visas, travel opportunities or guaranteed income in exchange for payment to report such offers to the appropriate authorities and QNET.
Suspected misuse of the QNET name can be reported to QNET through its website, qnet.net, email at network.integrity@qnet.net, or its WhatsApp compliance hotline on +233 256 630 005.
Members of the public can also report suspected fraud to EOCO through its offices nationwide, eoco@eoco.gov.gh, WhatsApp +233 579 709 066, or telephone +233 0547 419 419.
