“I sold my mother’s only plot of land for $2,000 to pay a facilitation fee for what I thought was a management position at QNET,” recalls Samuel, a 24-year-old university graduate from Lagos, Nigeria. “By the time I realised it was a scam, the fraudsters had disappeared with everything.”
Stories like Samuel’s echo across sub-Saharan Africa, where job scams have evolved from crude email schemes to sophisticated operations that exploit a perfect storm of desperation, digitalization, and dreams. In a region where youth unemployment rates touch 60% in some countries, the promise of a stable job has become a powerful weapon in the hands of fraudsters.
Every day, social media feeds overflow with seemingly legitimate job offers – from banking roles to international agency positions. These scams wear the masks of respectability, often impersonating multinational companies with such precision that even the most cautious job seekers struggle to distinguish fact from fiction. The result? A growing crisis of trust that threatens to undermine legitimate recruitment efforts across the continent.
QNET, like many established companies operating in Africa, has found itself caught in this complex web of deception. But rather than watching from the sidelines, we’ve chosen to take decisive action to protect vulnerable job seekers across the region.
The Trillion-Dollar Shadow Economy
When Grace received a WhatsApp message about a “guaranteed” QNET position paying $3,000 monthly, she was stripped of her savings and nearly lost her freedom. After travelling to what she thought was a job training centre in Burkina Faso, she found herself trapped in a human trafficking operation. Her story represents the darkest edge of Africa’s fraud crisis, where digital scams intersect with physical exploitation.
The numbers are staggering: Africa loses over 300 billion dollars annually to a complex web of financial crimes – from sophisticated cybercrime to elaborate tax evasion schemes. But behind these abstract figures lies a more insidious threat: the targeted exploitation of job seekers through pyramid schemes, Ponzi operations, and fraudulent recruitment drives that sometimes serve as fronts for human trafficking networks. This crisis of deception knows no boundaries. Global giants like Coca-Cola, respected regional institutions like the West African Development Bank (BOAD), and companies like QNET find their names weaponised by scammers who understand that trust in established brands is their most powerful tool. Each fake job posting, each fraudulent offer, erodes the foundation of legitimate business operations across the continent.
But QNET refuses to be a passive observer in this fight. Working hand-in-hand with governments and law enforcement agencies across Africa, we’ve launched a comprehensive counter-offensive against these criminal networks.
Here’s how we’re turning the tide.
Building a Shield Through Knowledge
In the fight against fraud, knowledge isn’t just power – it’s protection. QNET’s comprehensive training ecosystem reaches 100,000 Independent Representatives (IRs) annually through 600+ sessions, creating a network of informed professionals who serve as the first line of defence against scammers.
Our multi-tiered training approach includes:
1. Foundation Building
- – Free, accessible webinars covering everything from product expertise to ethical sales practices
- – QNET PRO Trainings focusing on compliance and professional integrity
- – Specialized QNET Sales Training (QST) programme for newcomers, ensuring they start their journey on solid ethical ground
2. Advanced Development
- – Two-day Product Certification programme with mentor support from top network leaders
- – Digital security through eKYC, protecting both IRs and customers
- – Comprehensive compensation plan education to prevent financial misinformation
- – Multilingual product training sessions available in seven languages
3. Leadership Excellence
- – Leadership development programs conducted by our partner organisation The V
- – Focus on team building and ethical business growth
- – Emphasis on collective success through integrity
This educational fortress doesn’t just protect our IRs – it empowers them to become active guardians against fraud in their communities. Every trained representative becomes a beacon of legitimate business practices, helping distinguish QNET’s authentic opportunities from fraudulent schemes.
Breaking the Silence: Public Education as Prevention
“My daughter was about to pay 5,000 cedis for a fake QNET job before she saw a video on Facebook where a mother was warning her son not to lie about the QNET business opportunity to his friends,” shares Elizabeth Mensah, a market vendor in Accra, Ghana. “That advertisement saved our family’s savings.” Stories like Elizabeth’s validate QNET’s belief that public education is crucial for awareness and prevention.
In 2022, QNET launched its most ambitious counter-offensive yet: the multi-award-winning Mama Campaign in Ghana. Using the trusted voice of African mothers – often the first line of defence against scams in many households – the campaign reached millions through strategic media placement and viral social engagement.
But this was just the beginning. QNET’s fight against fraud has evolved into a multi-pronged assault on deception:
The “Say NO” Campaign
- – Rolled out in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Senegal
- – Strategic partnerships with the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency and Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Nigeria
- – Building a pan-African coalition against human trafficking and job fraud
- – Setting new standards for corporate accountability in the region
QNET Against Scam Campaign
- – Rolled out in Ghana and Senegal
- – Real-time fraud alerts and prevention tips
- – Widespread distribution of public service announcements
- – Regular media engagement to maintain public vigilance
- – Educational content in multiple African languages
Direct Action Channels
- – 24/7 WhatsApp hotline (+233256630005)
- – Dedicated fraud reporting email ([email protected])
- – Rapid response protocols for reported incidents
- – Direct coordination with law enforcement agencies
QNET’s message is clear: legitimate opportunities don’t demand payment for jobs.
These initiatives reflect QNET’s zero-tolerance stance against brand impersonation and fraud. By transforming public awareness into public action, we’re not just protecting our brand – we’re protecting communities across Africa.
FinGreen: Empowering Communities Through Financial Education
“Before I joined FinGreen, I didn’t know how to tell which investments were good,” confesses Dolapo Awodele, a young Engineer from Nigeria. “I usually just followed what other people thought or went with my gut feeling. But since I started with FinGreen, I’ve learned how to carefully look at investment options. I now consider specific factors that show if an investment is real and can make good money.”
Launched in 2021, QNET’s FinGreen programme represents a fundamental shift in the fight against financial fraud – moving from protection to empowerment. This signature initiative goes beyond traditional financial education, creating a ripple effect of knowledge that transforms entire communities.
Why FinGreen Matters
Across Africa, millions lack access to basic financial services and education, making them prime targets for fraudsters. But where others see vulnerability, QNET saw opportunity – not for profit, but for change. FinGreen was born from a simple truth: financial literacy isn’t just about managing money; it’s about building resilience against scams and creating pathways to prosperity.
The FinGreen Approach
- – Completely free, accessible training for all
- – Focus on marginalised youth, women, and emerging entrepreneurs
- – Practical, hands-on learning experiences
- – Community-centred “train the trainer” model
- – Emphasis on sustainable financial habits
Real Impact, Real Numbers
- – 50+ intensive training sessions conducted
- – 10,000+ direct beneficiaries reached
- – Each participant shares knowledge with an average of five community members
- – Active programs in Turkey, Nigeria, and Ghana
- – Planned expansion across multiple African nations
What sets FinGreen apart is its ripple effect. Every graduate becomes a financial literacy ambassador, sharing their knowledge within their communities. One such example is Anuoluwapo Ayoola, one of the first Nigerian FinGreen Ambassadors, who shared her newly gained financial knowledge by organising a workshop for university students in Abuja. This multiplication of knowledge creates a protective network against financial fraud and creating more secure paths to success, one neighbourhood at a time.
The programme aligns with global financial inclusion initiatives and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, reflecting QNET’s commitment to sustainable development through education. As we expand FinGreen’s reach, we’re not just teaching financial literacy – we’re building financial immunity for communities across Africa.
Opening Doors, Building Trust
“I won’t lie; I was sceptical at first,” shares David A. Yates, a veteran journalist for the newspaper Liberian Observer. “But when I arrived at their offices and saw everything firsthand, my entire outlook changed. My initial doubts about QNET’s legitimacy were dispelled just by seeing the scale of their operations.”
To provide a clearer understanding of its operations, QNET hosted media junkets for West African journalists, bringing them to Malaysia for firsthand exposure to the company’s scale and commitment to quality. Along with Yates’ testimonial, various reporters shared testimonials following these immersive visits:
When I visited Malaysia, I was particularly fascinated by the array of products QNET has. I fell in love with the HomePure products because of the significance it has in Ghana and most parts of West Africa.”
Fred Smith, Health News Editor at Joy News (Ghana), as reported on GhanaWeb
I realised that IRs are not QNET workers, they are promoters and distributors of QNET products, who act on their volition and not officially in the name of QNET as direct employees. So, when an IR behaves in an unethical way, it is wrong to refer to him or her as a QNET worker or staff. It is also very important to separate the unethical behaviour or act of an individual from the general identity and reputation QNET.”
James Kamara-Manneh, The Calabash Newspaper (Sierra Leone)
…hearing QNET’s story and how they have run for 25 years, I deduced the resilience and impact that they have embodied. To run a business for such length shows how they have excelled in handling challenges and continued to impact in people lives. I like that QNET give multifaceted approach to train their marketers on ethical direct selling approach. And with what I saw at VCON, I now understand that QNET is not a get-rich-quick scheme that creates jobs through networking.”
Chinenye Anuforo, The Sun (Nigeria)
QNET’s approach to transparency goes beyond sharing information; it’s about creating firsthand witnesses to our legitimacy. Our initiatives operate on two parallel tracks: direct media engagement and grassroots public outreach. Below is a list of what these usually entail:
Media Engagement Activities
- – Regular media briefings in various African countries including press conferences, round tables, and general briefing sessions
- – Annual journalist delegations to QNET’s flagship Convention in Malaysia
- – Complete access to operational headquarters in Kuala Lumpur
- – Unfiltered interactions with company leadership
- – Deep-dive briefings on anti-fraud initiatives
- – Focus on addressing African market concerns
Public Education Through Roadshows and Product Exhibitions
Since 2018, QNET has maintained a consistent presence across Africa through:
- – Interactive Product Expos in key markets across the region, the latest including:
- – Two expos in Lagos, Nigeria, one in August and the second in November done in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) – The government-led “Made-In-Ghana Fair” in Accra, in partnership with the Malaysian High Commission
- – A two-day event in Dakar, Senegal
- – Participation in LASCOPA’s consumer protection events
- – Educational roadshows across eight countries in East and West Africa
- – Conferences such as the V-Convention in Malaysia and V-Africa held within the region
Building Understanding, Dispelling Myths
These public engagements serve multiple crucial purposes:
- – Demystifying the direct selling industry
- – Showcasing legitimate business opportunities
- – Providing hands-on product experiences
- – Training potential entrepreneurs
- – Creating clear distinctions between authentic QNET operations and fraudulent schemes
Each expo becomes a living classroom where the public can:
- – Interact directly with certified QNET representatives
- – Examine product quality firsthand
- – Learn about legitimate business practices
- – Understand the difference between authentic opportunities and scams
- – Connect with successful local entrepreneurs
This two-pronged approach – engaging media at the highest levels while maintaining strong grassroots connections – creates a powerful framework for transparency. By inviting scrutiny and embracing open dialogue, QNET isn’t just telling its story; it’s allowing others to verify it firsthand.
From Dialogue to Action: Strengthening Official Partnerships
When QNET was made aware of an incident involving an independent representative (IR) in Ogun State in Nigeria who allegedly defrauded about 50 people of approximately 50 million naira ($29,000), QNET’s legal team immediately coordinated with Nigerian authorities to secure his arrest and suspended his IR account pending investigation. This swift action exemplifies our commitment to moving beyond dialogue to actual crime prevention and prosecution.
Over the past 18 months, QNET has intensified its government engagement across sub-Saharan Africa, transforming individual conversations into systematic partnerships. Through more than 40 high-level dialogues across Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, and Togo, we’ve built a robust network of institutional allies in the fight against fraud.
Strategic Engagement Framework
- – Immigration Authorities: Collaborating on preventing human trafficking schemes
- – Consumer Protection Agencies: Joint public education initiatives
- – Diplomatic Missions: Cross-border cooperation and intelligence sharing
- – Labour Organisations: Workplace fraud prevention programs
- – Law Enforcement: Direct support for investigation and prosecution
Beyond Dialogue: Active Law Enforcement Support
QNET’s assistance to law enforcement includes:
- – Real-time intelligence sharing on suspected scams
- – Technical expertise during investigations
- – Documentation support for prosecution
- – Expert testimony in court proceedings
- – Training & Information sessions for Crime Investigation Detectives
Impact Through Partnership
Our collaborative efforts have yielded significant results:
- – Successful prosecution of brand impersonators
- – Rapid response to emerging fraud schemes
- – Enhanced public warning systems
- – Coordinated cross-border operations
- – Strengthened regulatory frameworks
Building Trust Through Transparency
Every government engagement serves multiple purposes:
- – Clarifying QNET’s legitimate business model
- – Distinguishing authentic operations from fraudulent schemes
- – Establishing clear communication channels
- – Creating joint response protocols
- – Developing preventive strategies
This multi-stakeholder approach has created a powerful alliance against fraud. When government agencies, law enforcement, and private sector entities like QNET work in concert, the impact is exponential. Each successful prosecution, each prevented scam, and each public warning represents not just a victory against fraud, but a step toward rebuilding trust in legitimate business opportunities across Africa.
Drawing the Line: Internal Vigilance, External Action
In March 2024, QNET discovered an individual promoting a fraudulent job scheme in Nigeria through social media misusing the name of QNET’s corporate foundation. Fortunately, a vigilant young man this individual approached decided to verify the information by reaching out directly to the Foundation through its official social media channels. our response was swift and unequivocal: immediate termination of contracts and full cooperation with local authorities.
This resulted in the individual being apprehended by the local police and steps were taken to take down the fake job ads posted by him. QNET also followed this up by issuing public notice announcements through the media warning the public to stay away from such scams.
This zero-tolerance approach reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of business ethics.
Internal Safeguards
Our defence against fraud starts from within:
- – State-of-the-art customer identification technology
- – Comprehensive Code of Ethics
- – Regular compliance audits
- – Strict enforcement protocols
- – Proactive monitoring systems
The results speak for themselves: hundreds of distributors terminated for ethical violations, sending a clear message that QNET’s reputation is non-negotiable.
Your Role in Protection
We’ve made reporting suspicious activities as straightforward as possible:
| 📧 Email: [email protected] |
| 📱 WhatsApp Hotline (Sub-Saharan Africa): +233 25 663 0005 |
| 🌐 “Say No” Campaign Website: Direct reporting portal |
Every report is investigated. Every violation is addressed. Every action strengthens our collective defence against fraud.
The Road Ahead: A Call for Collective Action
The fight against fraud in Africa isn’t just QNET’s battle – it’s a shared responsibility that requires collective vigilance. While we continue to strengthen our partnerships with African governments, ministries, and agencies, the most powerful tool in this fight remains an informed and alert public.
As we look to the future, our message is clear: QNET stands as a legitimate pathway to entrepreneurship, and we will spare no effort to protect this opportunity for genuine aspiring business owners across Africa. The scammers’ days are numbered, but only if we stand together.
Remember: Legitimate opportunities never require payment for jobs. If something seems too good to be true, reach out to us. Your vigilance today protects someone else's dreams tomorrow.
