A part-time academy coach in Pretoria has been accused of running an elaborate scam that allegedly conned the parents of more than 20 young rugby players out of an estimated R150 000.
According to News24, Ivan Kruger – a specialist coach who worked on a part-time basis at UXI Sport’s rugby programme based at Harlequins Club – allegedly promised players lucrative “contracts” with European clubs, charging parents agent fees ranging from R2 500 to R40 000 for placements that never existed.
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The alleged scheme is believed to have started around March this year and only came to light when one of the victims opened a fraud case at Sunnyside Police Station. Kruger was arrested on 13 November and appeared in court the following day. He is currently out on bail as further complaints continue to surface.
UXI CEO Thea Miller told News24 the organisation was deeply concerned about the allegations and estimated the total amount involved to be around R150 000, though individual accounts of losses differ.
Police are now investigating multiple cases as more affected families come forward.
