LNP Arrests Multiple QNET Scam Suspects”

Monrovia Liberia: The Liberia National Police (LNP) Anti-Robbery Unit has detained several individuals in the St. Paul Bridge area, accusing them of defrauding a woman of more than US$3,000 by falsely promising to facilitate international travel opportunities.

The unannounced operation, carried out in the Tweh Farm neighborhood behind St. Mary’s Parish, took place around 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15. Eyewitnesses described the raid as a complete surprise, raising alarm among local residents about the prevalence of such deceptive schemes in the vicinity.

“They didn’t expect this at all,” one resident commented. “It’s a shock to everyone here to see something like this happen so suddenly.”

Witnesses reported that several suspects were dressed in matching sky-blue long-sleeve shirts and navy-blue trousers, signifying their affiliation with a well-organized group, while others appeared to be recent recruits into the fraudulent operation.

The victim, a woman in her late 20s who requested anonymity due to emotional distress, informed authorities of the incident. She alleged that the suspects swindled her out of US$3,000 under the guise of securing travel arrangements to a developed nation. “They told me they could help me travel abroad, but after paying the money, I realized it was all a lie,” the victim explained. “I’m just lucky I didn’t end up somewhere worse.”

“They promise individuals a chance to migrate abroad, but often those deceived find themselves in unexpected countries, where men are subjected to forced labor and women to sexual exploitation,” one LNP officer remarked during the operation. “It’s a cycle of deception that targets vulnerable people looking for a better life.”

Another officer added, “This young woman is one of their victims. After realizing she had been duped, she decided to report the crime. We are currently transporting the suspects to LNP headquarters for further interrogation.”

Seizure of Evidence

During the raid, authorities seized a range of items believed to be linked to the fraudulent network, including passport-sized photos of potential victims, desktop computers, fans, documents, and other related materials. The suspects were escorted in a police vehicle, with the gathered evidence loaded alongside them for examination.

“The evidence we’ve found today is just the tip of the iceberg,” said another officer on the scene. “We expect to uncover more information as we continue our investigation.”

One local resident observed that some of the individuals who were not in uniform appeared to be newly recruited members tasked with luring others into the scam. “Some of them are just like us, caught in the trap,” the resident noted. “They were promised they could get their money back, but now they’re stuck in it too.”

According to reports, some of those coerced into participating in the operation had previously been victims themselves, trapped into the scheme due to their inability to recover their initial financial losses.

The facility where the suspects were detained is reportedly used exclusively by individuals associated with the Q-NET organization and is not occupied by permanent residents, according to eyewitness testimony. “That building has always been suspicious,” one local stated. “We’ve seen them come and go, and it’s never been a place where people live. It’s just a front.”

Residents further claimed this was not the first time the group had been apprehended, alleging that they had previously been captured by various security forces, including the Armed Forces of Liberia, only to return to the same location after mysteriously being released. “It seems like they always find a way back,” another resident remarked. “It’s almost like they have connections that help them get out of trouble.”

Authorities are continuing to investigate the scope of the operation, with further arrests and the potential for additional victims expected as the inquiry progresses. “We are working tirelessly to dismantle this network and bring those responsible to justice,” an LNP spokesperson stated. “This will not be the last of such operations.”