Businesman Bevan Jacobs, who has been accused of conning an indebted woman out of R50 000, says he is innocent.
Last week, a Kensington woman claimed she paid Jacobs, who runs a debt review company called Jacobs and Associates, R50k over several months before learning he never paid any of her creditors.
Since then, the Daily Voice has been inundated with mense claiming Jacobs has scammed them too.
On Monday Natasha Wagner, 36, from Athlone, came forward saying Jacobs owes her R4 500.
“I had just completed my debt review and needed to have the red flag removed from my name. In November 2018, my husband saw an advertisement of Jacobs & Associates,” says the mom of two.
“We were told it would take three months as the matter had to go to court and it would cost us R4 500.”
She says she paid a R3 000 deposit and R500 over the next three months.
“After the money was paid, there were excuses, like my file was misplaced. I asked him to reimburse me, he said I cannot get all the money and he’ll get back to me.”
Markan McLean, 31, from Kuils River, says he and his brother entered into a franchise agreement with Jacobs in March 2018 and invested R48 000 in the venture, and even employed people who they later had to let go.
“We were going to set up a debt review company, trading under Jacobs & Associates in Kuils River.
“At the time, I was working full-time and my brother, Marvin took care of most of the dealings.
“On 27 March, the agreement was signed, we paid the R30 000 franchise fee which was supposed to cover office equipment, marketing material and training. None of these were provided.”
He says they also loaned R18 000 from family and friends for office space in Kuils River.
He says Jacobs then dodged them, but they tracked him down.
“I asked him about our money and his response was that he doesn’t have that money freely available and he had to check his books.
“At times when we’d get to Jacobs’ offices, police and clients were looking for him. He is arrogant and a narcissist. He is a scam artist,” an angry Markan added.
Jacobs confirmed Jacobs & Associates stopped trading in December 2018.
On Monday, Jacobs confirmed Jacobs & Associates stopped trading in December 2018.
“I can confirm that we are in the process of attending to Natasha’s matter to deliver the service requested,” he added
Regarding Markan, he claims he dealt only with Marvin and doesn’t owe them anything.
“Marvin’s brother threatened me with all sorts of things that he will do, that my life felt threatened.
“Never did I go missing as they alleged. Marvin later decided that he will move into my office.
“Marvin traded under our name, we provided marketing material, flyers, offices to consult with his clients, all this was paid for.
“I am willing to meet with Marvin to resolve any aspects of our business agreement which were not clear or not resolved,” he added.