In a bold step to confront cross-border criminal networks operating under false pretenses, Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has entered into a strategic partnership with QNET, an international e-commerce and direct selling company with a presence in Ghana. The collaboration aims to tackle issues such as human trafficking, financial fraud, and recruitment scams that have been falsely linked to the QNET brand.
At a press briefing held in Accra, the Executive Director of EOCO, Mr. Raymond Archer, officially announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with QNET. The agreement, he said, outlines a comprehensive action plan involving four major areas: detection and investigation of criminal activities, prosecution of offenders, public education through awareness campaigns, and stronger collaboration between state security agencies and the private sector.
“These criminal networks are exploiting the names of reputable companies like QNET to deceive innocent Ghanaians—particularly the youth—into dangerous and illegal ventures,” Mr. Archer noted. “The impact has been devastating, and EOCO is committed to taking decisive action in protecting citizens and dismantling these operations.”
He praised the role of national security institutions, including the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana Police Criminal Investigations Department, and the National Intelligence Bureau, for their support in pushing this collaboration forward. According to him, EOCO will leverage its investigative and enforcement capabilities to crack down on fraudsters misusing corporate identities for criminal gains.
Representing QNET, Ms. Ramya Chandrasekeran, Chief Information Officer of its parent company, QI Group, expressed deep appreciation for EOCO’s intervention. She described the move as a “turning point” in the fight against organized crime targeting innocent people under the guise of QNET operations.
“This is not just a cooperation between a business and a state agency. It is a united front against the exploitation of the vulnerable,” Ms. Chandrasekeran declared. “Too many people have lost their savings, fallen victim to trafficking, or been led into forced labor because of scams falsely associated with our brand. This has to end.”
She revealed that QNET has, over the past two years, initiated several independent measures to protect the public. These include the “QNET Against Scams” campaign, partnerships with law enforcement, community financial literacy programs, and sustained media outreach. However, she acknowledged that such efforts, though impactful, required the force of a national security institution like EOCO to truly uproot the growing threat.
“With EOCO now on board, we are better positioned to not only raise awareness but also trace, investigate, and bring perpetrators to justice,” she stated. “We are not simply defending our brand—we are defending the lives and future of ordinary Ghanaians.”
The partnership will see the rollout of community roadshows, targeted media campaigns, and intelligence-sharing platforms aimed at both prevention and enforcement. The joint initiative also intends to educate the public on how to spot recruitment fraud and online scams, which are often masked as legitimate business offers.
Ms. Chandrasekeran concluded with a passionate call to action: “Let this partnership be remembered not just for protecting a company’s name, but for standing up for the people. As long as criminals continue to use our name to deceive and harm, we will remain committed to this fight.”
This collaboration between EOCO and QNET sets a precedent for how government agencies and responsible private companies can work together to tackle modern forms of organized crime that often transcend national borders. Both parties have vowed to continue the campaign until the menace is completely rooted out of Ghana and beyond.
By Bawa Musah
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