Hyderabad EOW arrests two QNET representatives in Pune over ₹28 lakh investment case
HYDERABAD: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Hyderabad police arrested two alleged independent representatives of QNET/Vihaan Direct Selling (India) Private Limited in Pune in connection with a case involving investments of about ₹28 lakh, police said.
Padamati Surender Reddy, 55, and Parwinder Singh Fingh, 37, were arrested in Pune, Maharashtra, on July 31. Police alleged that the two induced complainants to invest in the business after representing it as an e-commerce and product-based direct-selling venture.
Police say victims were encouraged to take loans
According to the press note, complainant Ramadevi Gundeti, her husband Srinivas Aemula, and another couple, Satheesh Reddy and Pavani, were induced to invest in QNET/Vihaan Direct Selling.
Police said Surender Reddy arranged a meeting at Lemon Tree Hotel in Hyderabad in August 2025 and introduced Parwinder Singh as his senior “up-liner”.
Parwinder Singh allegedly told the complainants that they could earn through product sales and commissions. When Ramadevi said she could not invest a large amount, he allegedly asked her to take a personal loan from Bajaj Finance and invest in QNET.
Police said the two families invested a total of $30,232, equivalent to about ₹28 lakh, with each family paying $15,116.
Investigators alleged that the accused presented the operation as an international e-commerce and direct-selling business offering high income and financial freedom while concealing its alleged binary-chain multi-level marketing structure.
The complainants later learnt that the business operated as a multi-level marketing scheme, according to police.
Police further alleged that QNET accounts and email IDs were created for some complainants without their knowledge and that recovery details were linked to contacts belonging to the accused. The complainants were subsequently pressured to recruit new members, police said.
When they sought cancellation of their membership and a refund within the promised period, the accused allegedly failed to return the money and continued giving assurances.
Accused brought to Hyderabad on transit warrant
During the investigation, EOW Team-I received information that Surender Reddy and Parwinder Singh were staying in Pune. Special teams were sent there and arrested them on July 31, police said.
The accused were produced before a Judicial Magistrate First Class in Pune and brought to Hyderabad after police obtained a transit warrant. They were subsequently produced before the XII Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate at Nampally for judicial remand.
Surender Reddy, a native of Santhosh Nagar in Hyderabad, was working for Maersk in Pune and was also an independent representative of QNET, according to the press note.
Parwinder Singh, a native of Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district, West Bengal, was working in the finance sector with HSBC in Pune and was also an independent representative of QNET, police said.
Police said Dilipraj Pukkella, a director of Vihaan Direct Selling (India) Private Limited, had earlier been arrested in the same case on May 27.
The case Crime No. 82/2026 was registered by EOW Team-I, Central Crime Station (CCS), Detective Department, Hyderabad, under Sections 318(4) read with 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS); Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978; and Section 5 of the Telangana Protection of Depositors of Financial Establishments Act, 1999.
Police said efforts were under way to apprehend the remaining accused.
Hyderabad police warn against money-circulation schemes
Hyderabad police cautioned the public against participating in QNET/Vihaan Direct Selling or similar alleged money-circulation or pyramid schemes.
Police said people who knowingly join or promote such schemes, recruit members or collect money on their behalf could face prosecution under applicable laws.
The public was advised to exercise due diligence before investing in business opportunities that promise returns primarily through recruitment of new participants instead of sales of products or services to end consumers.
Police also asked people to report information about suspected illegal schemes through appropriate Hyderabad police channels.
The operation was carried out by a special team comprising sub-inspectors M Rajashekhar and P Deva Suresh and other personnel under the supervision of V Narsimha Reddy, Assistant Commissioner of Police, EOW Team-I, CCS, Detective Department.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Detective Department, S Chaitanya Kumar issued the press note.
