Police Arrest Four Scholarship Scammers in Monrovia
- Liberia National Police have arrested four individuals in a scholarship scam.
- The scam allegedly used Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s name to defraud citizens.
- Two of the suspects claim to be innocent and were engaged in legitimate businesses.
- The case has revealed connections to QNet, a company with a controversial history.
- Evidence shows one victim lost US$1,000 in the scam, raising alarm among the public.
Investigation Targets Fake Scholarship Offers Using VP’s Name
Police in Monrovia are currently investigating a serious case involving four suspects linked to an alleged scholarship scam, including two women. The individuals are accused of misusing the name of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung to defraud Liberians who were seeking educational opportunities, particularly in Canada. Authorities with the Liberia National Police (LNP) made these arrests on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Zone-3 Police Station, which is located along Tubman Boulevard in Congo Town, just outside the capital city.
Arrestee Claims Innocence Amidst Scandal
One of the suspects, identified as Obediah Mattar, claims he was simply visiting a friend involved in network marketing when police raided the location and apprehended everyone inside. He vehemently denies any involvement in the scholarship scam. Supporting the police’s claims, evidence came to light that indicates a victim had already paid US$1,000 for a supposed scholarship, having made an initial payment of US$200, although Mattar again disclaims any liability for this case. Meanwhile, another arrestee, who goes by the name of Samuel, mentioned he is in the business of selling health and wireless product through online marketing. He alleges that he merely visited the office to exchange experiences with associates when he was arrested.
Victims and Defendants Share Their Accounts
Samuel pointed to the ownership of the office in question, which belongs to Mr. Cyrus Konnah. He insists that the US$610 fee he charged was for online business education and certification programs—not scholarships. However, many skeptics are raising eyebrows as they see parallels between Samuel’s operation and the investigation, particularly regarding the financial exchanges made under the guise of educational enhancement. Princess Kolakeh, another suspect, explained she was apprehended while trying to board a motorbike and contends that she had no knowledge of any fraudulent scholarship activity. In a similar vein, Princess M. Gongloe admitted to knowing a victim in the case, whom she described as a client.
Examining the Wider Implications of This Case
Gongloe has stated that her client purchased health products from her, totaling US$895, of which she received US$150 upfront. She insists her business is simply product sales and not related to scholarships, professing her innocence in this whole issue. The gravity of this ongoing investigation has escalated attention, particularly because of the alleged ties to QNet, an online marketing firm that has found itself in hot water over numerous fraudulent claims throughout West Africa. This connection has resulted in various arrests of its agents, casting a wider net on practices that might be somewhat murky at best or outright illegal at worst. Such circumstances leave many worried about the legitimacy of certain network marketing strategies and their implications for the general public.
In summary, the arrest of four individuals in Monrovia, linked to a scholarship scam exploiting the name of Vice President Jeremiah Koung, raises significant concerns regarding fraudulent activities. The interplay between legitimate business practices and potential scams, particularly in network marketing, sticks out in discussions. The arrest highlights how important it is for authorities to scrutinize these operations closely, especially relating to infamous companies like QNet, as the story unfolds further.
