Students M. Sané, A. Bâ, and M. Gassama were brought before the judge of the Thiès court of summary jurisdiction this Friday, December 5th, to stand trial. They are being prosecuted for criminal conspiracy, impersonating a public official, and fraud.

Members of a QNet network, these three students posed as managers of an international business training school to deceive people. Their headquarters, located in the Silmang district, was where they received students eager to enroll in this training program.

They were asking for registration fees of 650,000 FCFA. When student Amy Collé discovered this offer, she went to tell her mother, N. Diouf. Ms. Diouf then went to the supposed school's headquarters to inquire. There, a man named M. Sané explained the terms to her daughter. Convinced, N. Diouf paid the 650,000 FCFA to enroll her daughter.

Just as Amy Collé was about to start her classes, she realized she was dealing with a QNet network. That's when her mother went to file a police report.

Investigators raided the premises and arrested the three students. Subsequently, detectives discovered that the network had claimed other victims.

They were charged and placed in pre-trial detention.

In the dock of the Thiès court for flagrant offenses, the defendants denied the accusations. Mr. Sané stated that they never discussed training with their victims, but rather the sale of products. The two other defendants declared that they were simply independent representatives of QNet and specified that they had never received any money.

The victim, N. Diouf, reiterated that she had given 650,000 FCFA to Mr. Sané. Appearing as a witness, student A. Sow stated that she had also been a victim of this network. She affirmed that she had given 650,000 FCFA to Mr. Gassama to enroll in an International Business program. She added that when she left to begin her course, Mr. Gassama forced her to purchase a product in order to be admitted to the school. Student A. Sow stated that she had given Mr. Gassama a total of 850,000 FCFA.

After requesting the acquittal of the defendant A. Bâ, the public prosecutor deemed Mr. Sané and Mr. Gassama guilty of the charges and requested 8 months of imprisonment.

The defendants' lawyer argued that there was no fraud because the transfer of these sums of money was voluntary. He therefore pleaded for his clients' acquittal.

The judge acquitted the defendant A. Bâ and sentenced Mr. Sané and Mr. Gassama to 8 months in prison.