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| When the QI Group began in 1998, a diverse group of people of different nationalities and cultures came together for a common purpose. Their vision was to create something that would change the lives of people around the world. Despite diverse backgrounds, they all shared a common value system and unanimously admired and respected one man, whose teachings changed an entire generation of people around the world at a time when technology and communication had not turned the world into a global village – Mahatma Gandhi. | |||
| '''QNet ltd''', or '''QuestNet''' or '''GoldQuest''' or Qi limited, is a ] based ] company owned by the QI Group. The company sells a variety of products including energy products, nutrition, watches, jewelry and vacation packages.<ref name="primary">{{cite web|title=All Products |url=http://www.qnet.net/products/en/|accessdate=17 December 2011}}</ref> | |||
| The core values of the QI Group are derived from Gandhi’s teachings of Truth, Service, Care and Raising Oneself. These four pillars are melded into the mettle of the leadership that is being built at QI. | |||
| The company's marketing strategy follows a ] model, depending on independent representatives to refer its products to consumers and receive compensation based on the sales volume of their referrals and the sales volume of other independent representatives in their teams who are arranged in a ] fashion. | |||
| QNet is a member in the ] of ] and ].<ref name="dsam">. DSAM. Retrieved on 2011-11-12.</ref><ref name="dsas">. Dsas.org.sg. Retrieved on 2011-11-12.</ref> It has offices in some Asian countries such as ], ] and ] <ref>{{cite web|title=Worldwide Offices |url=http://www.qnet.net/about_qnet/worldwide_offices/en/|accessdate=16 December 2011}}</ref> and it also operates or has operated in other countries such as ], ], ] and ]. QNET has received a ] by Al Azhar that its Business is NOT ] within Islamic law. <ref>{{cite web|title=Al Azhar Fatwa |url=http://www.slideshare.net/QNetEgypt/al-azhar-halal-fatwa|accessdate=14 December 2012}}</ref> | |||
| The company has also been accused of operating a product-based ]. In India, Iran and Indonesia these accusations have resulted in the shutdown of the company by the government and the arrest of key members involved with the company.<ref name="Press TV">. Presstv.ir (2010-08-01). Retrieved on 2011-11-12.</ref><ref name="Ban in SriLanka">. Muthamil.com (2007-05-16). Retrieved on 2011-11-12.</ref><ref name="Money Game">{{cite web|url=http://apli.or.id/download_pdf.php?id=24|title=Money Game Marak Lagi!|last=Ir. Widarto Wirawan|date=April 2007|work=Bulletin of the Direct Selling Association of Indonesia|publisher=Asosiasi Penjualan Langsung Indonesia (Direct Selling Association of Indonesia)|language=Indonesian|accessdate=16 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=TRADE PRACTICES AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 1) 2002 Second Reading |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/genpdf/chamber/hansardr/2002-12-04/0093/hansard_frag.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf|accessdate=9 November 2011}}</ref> | |||
| == History == | |||
| QNet is the main subsidiary of the QI Group and was founded in Hong Kong by ] in 1998. It was initially known as GoldQuest, then QuestNet. QNet operates as a direct selling company providing a variety of consumer products including watches jewellery, holiday packages and energy products.<ref name="primary" /> In 2003, the company re-branded to QuestNet. In 2010, the name of the company was shortened to QNet.<ref name=about>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.qnet.net/about_qnet/about_qnet/en/|work=Qnet|publisher=Qnet|accessdate=20 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="GoldQuest">{{cite web|url=http://www.questnet-scam.com/goldquest-international-questnet.htm|title=The QuestNet Scam: A Case of Mistaken Identity |accessdate=17 December 2011}}</ref> | |||
| ==Business model== | |||
| ] ] structure. The blue individual will receive compensation from the sales of the downline red members.]] | |||
| The company's marketing strategy is based on a ] model which depends on a group of independent representatives who refer its products to consumers and receive compensation based on the sales volume of their referrals and the sales volume of other independent representatives in their teams who are arranged in a ] fashion.<ref name="Qnet DS">{{cite web|title=Direct selling - How does it work|url=http://www.qnet.net/opportunity/how_does_it_work/en/|publisher=Qnet|accessdate=20 December 2011}}</ref> | |||
| QNet's business model has been described as a simple ], where initial entrants to the scheme do make money, but as the number of Independent Representatives (IR) increases, finding more IR's becomes harder and harder, until those that join late are unable to recover even their initial outlay and the model collapses. QNet's ] manager counters this explanation as offering a business opportunity that doesn't have the high cost of start up as a limiting factor. When an IR recommends the product the customer makes a purchase through QNets online system and the IR receives a commission based upon QNets compensation plan.<ref name="Qnet DS" /><ref name=Faso>{{cite news|last=Faso|first=Brukina|title=QuestNet pyramid scheme drops anchor in Africa|url=http://observers.france24.com/content/20100504-questnet-pyramid-scheme-drops-anchor-africa-burkina-faso|accessdate=20 December 2011|newspaper=France 24|date=04-05-2010}}</ref> | |||
| The compensation plan operates by the recruitment of customers by existing Independent Representatives (IR). An IR is provided with an ID that gives access to a 'Tracking Centre' (TC) in its computer system through which the IR's sales are tracked. A TC has a left and right customer group. Every customer owns a TC which is then placed on the left or right customer side of the IR's TC. A 'direct' transaction (a customer's personal reference or sale) is counted as one transaction. An 'indirect transaction (someone in the cusomer's TC buys/refers/sells) is also counted as 1 transaction. the company pays $250 each time 3 product sales on an IR's left customer group are matched by 3 product sales on the right.<ref name="fraudsandscams.com">. Fraudsandscams.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-12.</ref>{{Verify credibility|date=December 2011}}<!-- questionable source, compensation plan should be sourced from the company material as well not solely rely on such non-neutral source --> | |||
| RYTHM foundation -derived from the acronym 'Raise Yourself To Help Mankind'- is a charity organization created by QI Group.<ref name=about /> | |||
| QNet is a member of the direct selling association of ],<ref name="dsam"/> and the direct selling association of ].<ref name="dsas"/> In 2007, APLI, the direct selling Association of ], considered GoldQuest or QuestNet a pyramid scheme.<ref>http://apli.or.id/website/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60%3Akewaspadaan-terhadap-bahaya-money-game-meningkat&catid=35%3Afokus&Itemid=1</ref> | |||
| ==Products== | |||
| One of the products being marketed by the company is the ''Amezcua Bio Disc'' (also spelled BioDisc and BioDisk) which the company claims can "redefine and harmonise the energy of water, greatly maximising its positive affect on the human body".<ref name=BDdescription>{{cite web|url=http://www.qnet.net/products/energy/amezcua/bio_disc2/en/|title=Bio Disc 2 (product description)|publisher=QNet|accessdate=11 November 2011}}</ref> These and other detailed claims of often miraculous properties have been widely denounced as fraudulent by various scientists, media commentators and watchdog organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acfar.org/pdflibrary/BioDiscSummary.pdf|title=BIO DISC SUMMARY|publisher=Africa Center for Apologetics Research|accessdate=11 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/physoc/jeremy/jeremy-2008-issue02.pdf|title=Feature Article: Scalar Energy|last=Fulcher|first=Ben|date=April 2008|publisher=Jeremy (newsletter of the University of Sydney Physics Society)|accessdate=11 November 2011}}</ref> Critics have noted that the claims are based on thoroughly debunked pseudoscientific concepts such as ] and that they have never been validated by a peer-reviewed process. QNet has stated in a document published to its representatives that ''there are no known test and approval bodies to date'' on such products.<ref>http://www.qnet.net/static_files/pdf/FAQBioDisc.pdf</ref> | |||
| ==Controversies== | |||
| According to Bill E. Branscum, the owner of FraudsandScams.com website, QNet operates as a pyramid scheme.<ref>http://www.fraudsandscams.com/examples.htm</ref> | |||
| <!-- The company's executive director, ], has faced arrest for fraud on an Interpol warrant. In May 2007<ref>. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2008-05-19). Retrieved on 2011-11-12.</ref> as published in the "Business Mirror" newspaper on the 13th of August, 2007.<ref>http://indonesia.questnet-scam.com/mirror-aug.pdf</ref> --> | |||
| On the 4th of December, 2002, ], ] of the ], identified GoldQuest as an example of pyramid schemes according to a list prepared by during his speech in support of the government's proposal to amend the ]. The list contained 60 other companies that was thought to be proposed in an effort to con consumers in Australia<ref>. Parlinfo.aph.gov.au (2002-12-04). Retrieved on 2011-11-12.</ref>{{Better source|date=December 2011}}<!-- Statements made in Parliament are made under parliamentary previllege as such dont require any proof or verification, as such this source needs to be improved --> The Iranian government banned GoldQuest after what is believed to have been one the largest economic corruption cases in the country's history. Prosecutors found that the pyramid schemes of GoldQuest led to removal of around ] 500 million from the country.<ref name="Press TV"/> | |||
| Approximately 3000 people, primarily young men, marched on the presidential palace in ] after the government temporarily withdrew QuestNet's license to operate. The business started in ] with around 600 IRs in 2006 and had expanded to 21,000 when the government temporarily withdrew the license to enable it to write operating laws.<ref>{{cite news|last=AFP|title=Thousands protest in Kabul for banned scheme|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\02\11\story_11-2-2008_pg4_22|accessdate=20 December 2011|newspaper=Daily Times|date=11-02-2008}}</ref> | |||
| On September 4, 2009 the ] Ministry of Finance issued a statement banning QuestNet from operating in Rwanda due to violations of company and tax laws. The directive followed a declaration day before by the ] describing QuestNet as a shadowy pyramid scheme which "is collecting money from subscribers in Rwanda and sending it outside to companies called Park King Development and DBS Hong Kong using swift transfer."<ref name="allafrica">{{Cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200907300063.html|title=Rwanda: BNR Warns of Major Fraud in Popular Pyramid Scheme|author=John Gahamanyi|date=29 July 2009|accessdate=Dec 21 2001|unused_data=web|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}}}}</ref> Citing article 4 of the companies act and articles 9 and 10 of the tax act, Minister ] issued the order forcing Questnet and its IRs to immediately stop all activities.<ref>{{cite news|last=GAHAMANYI|first=John|title=Questnet banned|url=http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=14008&print&article=18298|accessdate=20 December 2011|newspaper=The Newtimes|date=04-09-2009}}{{dead link|date=November 2012}}</ref> The company said in 2010 that "the activities of the 'IRs' had been suspended" and that it was getting the suspension lifted. In the same letter, responding to an article critical of its activities in ], it said it was not banned in any country.<ref name="response">http://www.france24.com/fr/files_fr/questnet_reponse1.jpg</ref> In 2012 the ban was lifted following a letter from the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, John Rwangombwa, addressed to the company stating “Upon review of your request to lift the ban on your business, and after consultations with different stakeholders, we hereby lift the ban and allow your company to resume operations as long as you abide with the conditions”.<ref>http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?a=57619&i=15099</ref> | |||
| Questnet opened in ] in 2010 with about 150 people participating; 80 of them were later detained while police investigated them. From that investigation 42 people were charged with gaining an unfair advantage.<ref>. Trt.gov.tr (2010-10-22). Retrieved on 2011-11-12. source in Turkish translated to English through Google Translate 2011-19-12</ref> In April 2011 the Industry and Trade Ministry announced they were investigating QNet when the ministry received complaints that it was a rebrand of Questnet operating under the same circumstances. The Ministry also revealed that Quest was fined a ]3.64 million(] 1.9 million) for its illegal activities in 2010.<ref>http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?load=detay&newsId=240912&link=240912</ref> | |||
| In 2009 people protested to ] government until QuestNet was banned. The main complaints were about receiving very cheap products in exchange for money sent to the company or even not receiving anything at all. Cheap products like copper necklaces sold as gold and non-working mobile phone service, supposed to be connected to satellite.<ref>http://www.alwatansudan.com/index.php?type=3&id=13772&bk=1</ref><ref>http://www.alnilin.com/news.php?action=show&id=7622</ref> Even after the company was shut down, another agent wanted to renew the contract of QuestNet in ], but the government refused stating that it wouldn't renew the contract of such company after a ] had been issued to ban dealing with it and especially when watching other countries suffer from it. The government in ] had suffered a loss of more than 15 million dollars out of the country<ref>http://www.falseprofits.com/SriLankaReport.pdf</ref> which led the Sri Lankan government to issue a punishment of 3 year in jail for any one caught in promoting or dealing with that company.<ref>http://www.alnilin.com/news-action-show-id-7056.htm</ref> | |||
| The ]n ministry of economics has ordered shutting down QuestNet's office in ] in April 2009, after one year of operation, for the reason of violating the commercial registration granted to it.<ref>http://www.alwatanvoice.com/arabic/news/2009/04/08/136782.html</ref> According to statements of the Director of facilitation and trade efficiency in the Syrian Ministry of Economy, Ramzy Asawda, QuestNet has been performing a pyramid scheme in Syria and it has withdrawn a "terrifying" amount of money out of the country, estimated to be Billions of ]s, while paying a relatively little amount of taxes in return. Asawda also states that there can't be another office of the same company in Syria and if there are some people who are still working for this company, then they are performing an illegal action.<ref>http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=105456</ref> | |||
| The Home minister of ] banned GoldQuest in February, 2003, accusing it of being a pyramid scheme that was not registered with the Nepali government. Krishna Bahadur Manandhar, chief of the foreign exchange department at the ], stated that the ]-based company, GoldQuest, is "a hundred percent fraud", explaining the reason the ] was not able to take action earlier is that there were no written records or agreements of any of the company's transactions.<ref>http://www.nepalitimes.com/issue/2003/02/07/DomesticBrief/4625</ref> | |||
| The Ministry Of Commerce and Industry of ] banned Qnet at the end of August, 2012, accusing it of stealing and falsification as well as not being registered with the ministry.<ref>http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/%E2%80%98suspicious%E2%80%99-qnet-banned</ref> Furthermore, a message was published on the official website of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Commerce and Industry warning the Saudi Arabian people not to be involved in such schemes under any pressure of false promises, mentioning the company name "QNet" specifically as one on those fraudulent schemes operating in the country. It also announced a special phone number for reporting any such activity if spotted.<ref>http://www.commerce.gov.sa/MediaCenter/News/Pages/n01Sep.aspx</ref> | |||
| ==References== | |||
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Revision as of 12:25, 11 January 2013
When the QI Group began in 1998, a diverse group of people of different nationalities and cultures came together for a common purpose. Their vision was to create something that would change the lives of people around the world. Despite diverse backgrounds, they all shared a common value system and unanimously admired and respected one man, whose teachings changed an entire generation of people around the world at a time when technology and communication had not turned the world into a global village – Mahatma Gandhi.
The core values of the QI Group are derived from Gandhi’s teachings of Truth, Service, Care and Raising Oneself. These four pillars are melded into the mettle of the leadership that is being built at QI.