HYDERABAD: Six persons allegedly associated with a multi-level marketing (MLM) company, IGNITE, were arrested by Hyderabad’s Central Crime Station (CCS) sleuths after conducting searches across four states. Hyderabad police alleged that IGNITE is a rebranded version of the controversial QNet.
Police arrested Oneal Gupta from Noida, Dinesh Kumar Saahil from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, Priyanshu Saxena from Bulandshahr, Praveen Kumar Dakalia from Kolkata, Paritosh Kumar Dakalia from Kolkata, and Riyaz from Kerala. Investigators claimed they had nipped the MLM scheme in the bud, alleging that it had the potential to dupe large numbers of investors across the country.
How the Scheme Operated
“Three complaints were received on June 5 & 6 from victims at SR Nagar, Punjagutta and Kachiguda police stations and they all put together Rs 1.87 lakh. The victims were approached through WhatsApp from an Africa-based number (+231 8862$$$$$$), followed by an online Zoom presentation, and a meeting in Panjagutta. The three victims were directed to pay into the same bank account in the name of Parasnath Mercantile Pvt. Ltd,” Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said during a media conference on Thursday.
After conducting a preliminary investigation, police suspected that IGNITE was operating along similar lines to QNet and its Indian offshoot, Vihaan. The cases were subsequently transferred to the CCS.
IGNITE: The New Version of QNet
While alleging that IGNITE is the new version of QNet/Vihaan, the police commissioner said, “As per our initial investigation, IGNITE (joinignite.com) is a multi-level marketing scheme headquartered at Admiralty, Hong Kong, the same city that has served as the control centre for this network in the last several years during its different versions - Goldquest, Questnet, QNet and now as IGNITE. Every partner and top recruiter in IGNITE’s India network, including the arrested Oneal Gupta, were previously associated with QNET,” Sajjanar said.
“Victims were told that refunds would be released only if they recruit two new members into IGNITE or maintained USD 200 in their IGNITE e-wallet. This confirms that the product purchase is incidental and the enrollment fee is the real transaction,” officials said in a press note.
Front Company and Financial Trail
IGNITE’s Indian front company, Indi Konnect Ventures Pvt Ltd, was incorporated on May 18, 2026. “As per initial investigation, the Indian entity was created by a set of QNet senior leaders who are now associated with Ignite. Its Memorandum of Association openly declares the intention to pay commissions, bonuses, and rewards for enrolling and recruiting direct sellers, which fall under the prohibited money circulation scheme as defined in Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978,” police said during a PowerPoint presentation on the MLM scheme.
According to police, money collected from IGNITE victims in Hyderabad was allegedly routed to Malaysia through hawala channels and subsequently converted into cryptocurrency before reaching a Hong Kong-based e-wallet.
Products Promoted by IGNITE
Products promoted by IGNITE included: Activa (a square glass block claimed to aid energy harmonisation); Brush-O (an electric toothbrush sold at USD 680, approximately Rs 60,000, despite similar products being available in the Indian retail market for under Rs 600); and brAInify (an AI learning platform). “Our initial investigations indicated that not one of these products carries approval from any Indian or international regulatory authority for the health or wellness claims made for them.”
Previous Cases Involving the Alleged Key Conspirators
The Government of India’s Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), in a classified 458-page report in 2012, declared GoldQuest and QuestNet to be Ponzi scheme companies and described the network as a potential threat to national security. QNET founder Pathman Senathirajah is accused in cases registered by the Economic Offences Wing in Mumbai and in Tamil Nadu for his alleged role in Gold Quest. He is currently located in Hong Kong and is evading arrest. Its Managing Director, Adly Hassan, was QNET’s top India earner for several years.
