On March 23, 2026, Hyderabad police arrested 32 promoters linked to the controversial QNet multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme. The operation was part of coordinated raids conducted across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, targeting individuals promoting Vihaan Direct Selling Ltd., the company’s official name in India.
The arrests followed a detailed probe by local authorities into the promoters’ activities. Police discovered that the accused had deliberately hidden their connection to QNet while presenting their business as a straightforward product-selling venture. Instead, the model operated as an illegal money-circulation scheme, with earnings primarily driven by commissions earned through recruiting new members rather than actual sales.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar stated that the promoters misled people by focusing on high commissions tied to enrolment. Authorities noted that these individuals specifically targeted lower-income groups, exploiting their desire for financial improvement with unrealistic promises of quick wealth. The front-end display of product sales was used merely as a cover for the underlying pyramid-style recruitment drive.
QNet and its Indian entity, Vihaan Direct Selling Ltd., have faced repeated scrutiny for years. Past incidents include frozen bank accounts in 2013, a 2014 court order banning operations, multiple criminal complaints, arrests of key figures such as majority shareholder Michael Ferreira in 2016, and founder Vijay Eswaran being declared wanted by Indian authorities. Further developments involved victim protests, a promoter-related suicide, shutdown orders by the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs, asset freezes worth millions, and arrests in cities including Jaipur, Odisha, and Hyderabad itself.
Despite numerous crackdowns, government warnings, and enforcement actions, including a fresh Central Consumer Protection Authority alert in December 2024, QNet continues to attract attention in India. As of February 2026, the company’s official website still recorded around 153,000 monthly visits, with India accounting for the largest share at 21 percent. This persistent online presence highlights the difficulties authorities face in completely eliminating the scheme’s influence.
