Police Nab Purported QNET Agents for Human Trafficking

Liberia National Police has booked purported agents of network marketing firm QNET for their alleged involvement in human trafficking and theft by deception.

Police spokesperson, H. Moses Carter disclosed that the latest victim is a young Sierra Leonean national who was trafficked to Liberia from Sierra Leone by another Sierra Leonean, identified as Alusine Konteh, who duped the victim of US$900 on the pretense of helping him travel to Malaysia and gain employment with QNET. 

“One of the latest victims is a Sierra Leonean national, Alpha A. Conde, 22 years old, who was trafficked to Liberia from Sierra Leone by another Sierra Leonan identified as Alusine Konteh, who duped the victim of US$900 under pretense of helping the victim travel to Malaysia and gain employment with QNET,” Carter said.

The investigation, according to the LNP spokesperson, was prompted by several allegations from people who have fallen prey to alleged scams of the company. 

QNET is a direct selling company headquartered in Hong Kong, which offers a wide range of products in the areas of education, health, wellness, and lifestyle through an e-commerce platform. The company has offices and agencies in more than 25 countries worldwide. Direct selling is a method of marketing and retailing goods and services directly to the consumers, away from permanent retail premises. Such type of sales is largely driven by word-of-mouth referrals. 

“You can either buy these products and use them personally for health and wellbeing or choose the entrepreneurial path by registering as an Independent Representative and refer others to buy our products. You get commission on every referral sale,” QNET says, adding that its business “is based on a sustainable model that does not allow anyone to make money through recruitment. 

“QNET condemns money extortion and condones illegal gatherings or massive movement of people across borders to engage in its business. With the use of an electronic device such as a mobile phone or computer, anyone can conduct business with QNET without travelling to any country.”

According to Carter, the victim arrived in the country last Tuesday, September 14, 2021, along with QNET agent Konteh, who dubiously collected the victim’s money.  Before yesterday’s disclosure, there have been several complaints from citizens about the company which claims to be involved with internet marketing, while providing scholarships to students. 

But QNET says that while its agents do market and sell education products, ​​the company has a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) division that specifically makes donations to educational funds and to the needy, educational intervention for blind and physically-challenged students and many others. The company also does not charge money for scholarships. 

In April 2020, residents in Paynesville staged a protest at the company’s office in Du-Port Road, demanding the government to close down the entity, accusing it of being a scam company.

However, Carter recalled that in July 2021 another QNET agent, Abu Kamara, was charged and forwarded to court for his alleged involvement in human trafficking and theft by deception by the Liberia National Police. He narrated that Kamara trafficked 15 children and young adults from neighboring Guinea, Sierra Leone, Mali, Malaysia, and Ivory Coast. “These victims were also robbed of a huge sum of money totaling US$13,650.” 

He noted that those currently being investigated by the LNP include Jusu Mulbah, 28, Al-Haji Amara, 34, Fofana Bokaries, 24, Tamba Mansaray, 31, and  Konteh all residents of Old road. “Members of the public are urged to be cautious of their business transactions with QNET in order to avoid them being trafficked or robbed by agents of the company. The Liberia National Police assures members of the public of its resolve to bring to book anyone caught in any dubious act before activity aimed at robbing our citizens of their hard-earned resources.”