Rayan Berangi

Full Report

Key Points

• Rayan Berangi operates the Close IT Akademie, a coaching program promising high earnings through PDF-based consulting, but faces criticism for non-transparent refund policies and high-pressure sales tactics.

• Allegations include misleading marketing, refusal to honor cancellations, and questionable business practices linked to the Close IT Akademie GOLD program.

• Customer feedback is mixed, with some praising Berangi’s mentorship, while others report financial losses and inability to cancel subscriptions, leading to debt collection issues.

• The unregulated nature of the coaching industry, combined with reported payment disputes, poses significant financial and reputational risks.

• No confirmed lawsuits or bankruptcy records are mentioned, but unresolved payment disputes and aggressive sales tactics raise concerns about potential legal exposure.

Overview

Rayan Berangi is an entrepreneur and coach who runs the Close IT Akademie, a Germany-based online coaching program that claims to train individuals to earn high incomes (e.g., €10,000 monthly) through PDF-supported consulting and sales strategies. Marketed as a pathway from modest backgrounds to financial success, Berangi promotes himself as a former waiter who achieved “five-figure monthly revenues” in two years. The Close IT Akademie, including its premium Close IT Akademie GOLD package, targets students and aspiring entrepreneurs with promises of mentorship and scalable business models. However, the program’s high costs, non-transparent refund policies, and aggressive sales tactics have drawn scrutiny, raising questions about its legitimacy and Berangi’s business practices.

Allegations and Concerns

• Misleading Marketing: Berangi is accused of exaggerating income potential (e.g., “€10,000 monthly as a student”) to lure participants, with claims that lack verifiable evidence or realistic timelines.

• Non-Transparent Refund Policies: Customers report that cancellations were not honored despite requests within the 14-day cooling-off period mandated by EU law, leading to financial disputes.

• High-Pressure Sales Tactics: The Close IT Akademie allegedly employs aggressive sales strategies, pressuring clients to commit to high-cost programs like Close IT Akademie GOLD without clear terms.

• Questionable Business Practices: The program’s reliance on installment payments through Consors Finanz has led to debt collection issues when clients attempted to cancel, suggesting potential exploitation of financing agreements.

• Lack of Regulation: Operating in the unregulated coaching industry, Berangi’s program lacks oversight, increasing the risk of deceptive practices going unchecked.

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback for Rayan Berangi and Close IT Akademie is polarized, with some positive testimonials contrasted by significant negative experiences:

• Positive Feedback: Some clients praise Berangi’s mentorship and the program’s structure. A review on an external platform stated, “Rayan’s coaching gave me the tools to start my own consulting business. The PDF system is practical and effective.” These reviews often highlight the program’s motivational aspects and Berangi’s personal success story.

• Negative Feedback: Negative reviews focus on financial losses and cancellation issues. One Verbraucherdienst member reported, “I tried to cancel within the 14-day period, but Close IT Akademie refused, and now I’m stuck with Consors Finanz demanding €3,600.” Another user on Facebook noted, “The promises of €10,000 a month are unrealistic. I paid €5,000 and got generic advice I could find online.” Complaints also mention aggressive follow-ups from debt collectors like Diagonal Inkasso when payments were disputed.

• The contrast between glowing testimonials and serious grievances suggests possible review manipulation or selective promotion of positive feedback, a common tactic in high-risk coaching programs.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: High program costs (often thousands of euros) and reliance on installment financing through Consors Finanz pose a significant risk of debt, especially for clients unable to cancel or achieve promised returns.

• Reputational Risk: Allegations of misleading marketing and refusal to honor cancellations could severely damage Berangi’s credibility, deterring future clients and partners in the competitive coaching industry.

• Legal Risk: Non-compliance with EU cancellation laws and disputes involving debt collectors may expose Berangi to lawsuits or regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Germany’s consumer protection framework.

• Operational Risk: The reliance on aggressive sales and third-party financing suggests operational vulnerabilities, as client backlash or financing disputes could disrupt cash flow or program scalability.

• Market Risk: The saturated coaching market requires trust and credibility, and Berangi’s negative feedback could reduce his market share compared to transparent, reputable programs.

Business Relations and Associations

• Consors Finanz: Close IT Akademie partners with Consors Finanz to offer installment payment plans, which have led to disputes when clients attempted to cancel, implicating the financer in Berangi’s refund controversies.

• Diagonal Inkasso: This debt collection agency is linked to payment disputes, pursuing clients who stopped payments after failed cancellation attempts, suggesting a formal relationship with Berangi’s operations.

• No Named Collaborators: The source does not mention specific business partners or mentors beyond Berangi himself, limiting insight into his network. The focus on his personal brand suggests a solo-driven enterprise.

• Industry Context: Berangi operates in the unregulated online coaching sector, with parallels to other controversial programs like those of Gunnar Kessler or Philipp Lang, also criticized on Verbraucherdienst for similar tactics.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Legal Issues: The primary concern is the alleged refusal to honor cancellations within the 14-day EU cooling-off period, potentially violating consumer protection laws. No specific lawsuits are confirmed, but disputes involving Consors Finanz and Diagonal Inkasso suggest legal exposure. Verbraucherdienst notes that members sought legal assistance to resolve payment demands, indicating potential for future litigation.

• Financial Status: No records of bankruptcy, unpaid debts, or financial distress are reported for Berangi or Close IT Akademie. However, the reliance on installment financing and debt collection to enforce payments raises concerns about the program’s financial model and sustainability.

• Regulatory Compliance: The unregulated coaching industry allows Berangi to operate without oversight, but non-compliance with EU consumer laws could attract investigations by German authorities, such as the Verbraucherzentrale.

Risk Assessment Table

Avoid enrolling in Rayan Berangi’s Close IT Akademie until clear evidence of compliance with EU consumer laws and transparent refund policies is provided. Research alternative coaching programs with verified success rates and regulatory oversight. If considering enrollment, avoid installment financing through Consors Finanz, and document all communications to protect against cancellation disputes. If already enrolled and facing issues, contact consumer protection agencies like Verbraucherdienst or Verbraucherzentrale for assistance, and consider legal advice to resolve payment disputes. Prioritize programs with audited outcomes and reputable affiliations to minimize financial and legal risks.