Inside QNet Pyramid Scam Scheme
By Yankuba Jallow
In what looks like a daylight robbery, Foroyaa’s four months investigation has found a global e-marketing group operating in The Gambia amassing wealth from Gambians, including innocent students.
Dubbed QNet, the company does this under the ploy that they organize “Business Management” with the promise to give the students what they refer to as “International Certificate”.
In this piece, we unveil the untold stories of many Gambians, including students who became victims of QNet’s alleged financial fraud.
This pyramid-like-scheme trapped Gambians into luring fellow Gambians to venture into a business dubious in toto; yet persisting because most victims were swayed into the business by those they trusted.
It may seem like a movie-like-script, but these scenes didn’t come from Hollywood. The setting is in the smallest country in mainland Africa- The Gambia, home to little over two million people, many of whom struggle daily to make ends meet.
Victim 1:
EnterFatima Bah, a teacher at Sinchu Baliya Lower Basic School. Bah was introduced to QNet by her colleague teacher, Mariama Njie, who was in the business.
Her friend, Njie, told her she will introduce her to something that has the potential for her to get rid of poverty. Anxious due her condition and that of the family (taking care of her mother from her little earnings from teaching) Bah would agree to hear the offer.
At the meeting with her friend together with QNet officials at the QNet office, formerly at Kairaba Avenue, Bah said she was told to make payment of any of the following; D36,000, D37,000 or D38,000.
“I was never convinced about their business. Mariama would come to my house every day trying to convince me to join but I told her I cannot join because I am the breadwinner of my family,” she recalled. “I told her my salary is very little and I cannot pay for it. She insisted that if I join I will get out of poverty.”
But Bah’s colleague, Njie, was persistent. She suggested to her to take a loan from the bank to make her payment. Bah declined owing to the fact that at the time, she had a loan with the teachers’ credit union which she was struggling to pay. Nonetheless, adamant Njie would come to her every weekend persuading her to join the business. And she said Njie got her a guarantor at the bank to secure a loan of D38,000 because she was not saving with them.
“I received a loan of D38,000 from GTBank which I handed over to Mariama. I was called at the QNet office where they explained the business to me further but I told them I am not interested,” she said. “Honestly, I am suffering. She really disturbed me. The bank is deducting me D1870 every month and I am the breadwinner of my family.”
Bah said the deduction began in October 2018 and would last for 3 years. She said she does not know the whereabouts of Njie as she always calls her but she wouldn’t pick the calls. In a bid to upkeep her personal and family needs plus repayment of the bank loan, Bah now teaches in double shifts from Monday to Friday.
“I want to apply to college but I can’t do that now. I am facing serious challenges. I am in a tough time,” she said.
Njie, whom Bah accused of luring her into the business, was contacted by Foroyaa for comment. She told us this: “I don’t have anything to do with QNet. Go to QNet and ask them questions.”
What We Know About QNet?
The Quality Networking Entrusted Transactions (QNET) is an e-commerce company that operates under the Infinity Millennial with offices across the country, including Abuko, Farato and as far as Basse in Upper River Region. Founded in 1998 in Asia and introduced in Africa around 2008, QNET has three registered groups in The Gambia using different names.
The first one is Q-Net Company registered by one Gambian national Wurri Sidibeh, to sell watches and jewelleries on the 27th July 2017. The second one is QUESTNET Gambia Limited registered on the 8th December 2017. QUESTNET company director is Abubakar Marico who owns 85% of the shares, Muhammed Sillah owns 5% of the shares, Abubakar Marico (a Burkinabe) owns 5% of the shares and Kawon Jikineh owns 5% of the shares. The third is QNET registered on the 21st November 2017 by one Sulayman Jallow.
The Registrar of Companies informed Foroyaa that none of the three companies have filed their annual returns since registration in 2017.
Dr Gibril Jaw, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority, said his office does not give any license to QNet to provide any training or classes for people. He said NAQAA regulates education and training for post-secondary level up to doctorate degree.
“There is nothing like QNet in our database. So, it is not part of institutions accredited by NAQAA,” Dr Jaw said.
The doctorate degree holder took time to advise all learners to always consult with NAQAA before they register, saying they are here to protect the interest of people. He said NAQAA will treat the issue of QNet with seriousness.
“NAQAA does not know QNet. There was no license issued to QNet. I have the list of institutions, but QNet is not part of it,” he said. “Before anybody registers, it is better to seek advice from NAQAA to see the status of the institution to know whether they are recognised and registered.”
He said NAQAA’s mandate extends to regulations of all post-secondary education levels as well as the informal sector through apprenticeship programmes.
“Online, face to face, sandwich and hybrid programmes are all regulated by NAQAA,” Dr Jaw said.
