MUST READ: Springs businesses lose money in alleged advertising scam
Fraud comes in different disguises, but when businessmen and women are being scammed into paying for advertising they never see, it is a different story.
Two Springs businessmen have opened a case of fraud at the Springs Police Station following an advertising scam.
They believe more people were scammed by a consultant who approached them to place adverts in an advertisement magazine.
Casseldale businessman Frank Willemsteijn says he saw an advert on Facebook of a consultant advertising a magazine in which companies could advertise.
He thought it looked like a good marketing deal.
“The advert was about a colourful advertising magazine with company adverts in which to place your company profile.
“When I phoned the consultant it all sounded wonderful at first,” he says.
He claims the consultant was full of promises of what his business could gain from advertising.
“I was convinced this would work and offered her a 50 per cent deposit for the advert to be placed in every volume over a three-year period, but the consultant insisted on 75 per cent,” he says.
Willemsteijn says the whole transaction was done in good faith, but after a few weeks of silence he called the consultant.
He claims the consultant’s first excuse was she was in hospital, then her car was broken and during another conversation she apparently couldn’t print because it was raining.
“When you have proof of all the money paid and you rely on a promised delivery, it is quite a shock to hear all these excuses,” says Willemsteijn.
Geduld businessman Hein Henning went against his better judgment and trusted the consultant.
“The presented sales pitch was good enough to trust that it could work,” he says.
The agreement was for adverts in four volumes of the advertising magazine of which a few copies would be delivered at the business for distribution among their clients.
Henning claims he only saw two volumes.
“You put your trust in someone to do marketing for your business and all you receive is a setback,” he says.
He trusted her because she was quite friendly and convincing.
“The businesses advertising in the magazine she presented on the day are all reputable businesses,” says Henning.
“I am also going to open a case of fraud this week,” he says.
All of these people feel they have been scammed out of their hard-earned money by a friendly sales consultant who was very convincing in her presentation and approach.
Businessman Pierre Maritz agrees with Henning that “the businesses advertising in the magazine looked like reputable businesses”.
“Several appointments were made with the consultant for photos of our business which never happened,” he says.
He also claims the consultant never reacted to any correspondence sent to her.
“We have proof of all transactions and receipts of money paid.
“No comment was received from the consultant which led me to open a case of fraud,” says Maritz.
Willemsteijn has started a WhatsApp group where people who claim they had fallen victim to this advertising scam can join and share their stories.
All the people have receipts of the transactions and the money paid to the consultant.
Anyone who would like to share their story can contact Willemsteijn on 083 469 1009.
SAPS spokesperson Capt Johannes Ramphora confirms two cases of fraud have been opened which they are currently investigating.
