Hyderabad: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Central Crime Station (CCS), Hyderabad Police, has arrested five alleged QNET representatives from Goa in connection with a ₹7.5 lakh (approximately US$8,900) multi-level marketing (MLM) and money circulation fraud case. The arrests were made during a raid at a company event held at a resort in Candolim, Goa. During the operation, investigators also seized three luxury vehicles, five mobile phones, and several digital records, all of which are now being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammed Fawaz, Aswin Suresh, Vinu Johnson D’Cruz, Manoj Ravindran Nair Subbalakshmi, and Varikottuchalil Sivarajan Balraj, all residents of Kerala. According to the police, the accused were produced before a court in Goa, which granted transit warrants allowing their transfer to Hyderabad for further investigation.
The case was registered following a complaint filed by Sardar Sharanpal Singh, who alleged that he was contacted through Instagram while searching for gym space in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. According to the complaint, he was later invited to Bengaluru with the promise of a lucrative business opportunity, where QNET was presented as a legitimate luxury products business.
The complainant alleged that the accused persuaded him to invest through presentations, success stories, and assurances of substantial earnings. He was initially asked to transfer ₹30,000 as a booking amount and was subsequently convinced to invest a total of ₹7.5 lakh. He further alleged that the accused deliberately avoided written communication, relying instead on phone calls and online meetings while insisting that the investment proposal remain confidential.
After independently researching the company, the complainant reportedly came across information linking QNET to alleged pyramid and money circulation schemes. He subsequently approached Hyderabad Police and lodged a formal complaint.
During the investigation, police received information that several QNET representatives would be attending a company event in Goa. Acting on the intelligence, a special EOW team travelled to Candolim and conducted a raid at the resort. According to investigators, some of the suspects allegedly attempted to flee after noticing the police but were apprehended during the operation.
Police said the preliminary investigation indicates that the accused allegedly recruited individuals through social media platforms, face-to-face meetings, and online sessions. Prospective members were allegedly promised attractive monthly earnings and encouraged to enrol additional participants into the network. Investigators are now examining how many people may have been recruited and the total amount of money allegedly collected through the scheme.
During the raid, police seized a Toyota Fortuner, an MG Hector, a Kia vehicle, and five mobile phones. The devices contain WhatsApp chats, Instagram conversations, emails, and financial transaction records that are currently undergoing digital forensic examination. Officials believe the electronic evidence will help identify additional members of the alleged network, trace the flow of funds, and determine the number of potential victims.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing and that further legal action will depend on the analysis of digital evidence, banking records, and other documentary material. If additional individuals are found to have played a role in the alleged scheme, appropriate legal action will be initiated against them in accordance with the law.
