QNet used to raise funds for Zakir Naik, says fraud victims'

An organization of fraud victims alleged here on Wednesday that QNet, a marketing firm accused of committing a multi-crore rupee fraud, was used for raising funds for controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik.

Naik, wanted by Indian investigation agencies in terror-related cases, is currently living in Malaysia.

The Financial Frauds Victims Welfare Association alleged in a statement here that QNet was used as a "fund- raising channel" for Naik.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is looking into this aspect after Gurpreet Anand, a whistle-blower, filed a complaint, it said.

Some people associated with QNet helped and protected Naik when he fled to Malaysia, it said.

In January, Telangana police had said that nation-wide probe had been launched to nab the main perpetrators behind the fraud allegedly committed by QNet.

The company is accused of using marketing schemes like direct-sales marketing which are prohibited in India under the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978.

QNet has also been accused of using the banned binary pyramid business model for its multi-level marketing (MlM) schemes to entice investors.