Business debt collection scam by Aleksander Gudbrand
Four lawyers have told us they’ve received an email from the purported Aleksander Gudbrand looking to retain them with regards to a breach of a business loan agreement. This is similar to other frauds of this kind we have seen. For a full description of how this fraud works and to see other names attached to it, see our Confirmed Fraud page that deals with business loan frauds.
Here is the email:
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2013 23:30:30 -1200
From: Aleksander Gudbrand
Reply-To: aleksandergudbrand@yahoo.com
To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
We are seeking for a lawyer to assist in a collection case which requires immediate attention. If this is within your line of practice please contact us promptly because we will like to speak with you. I will also need a referral if this case is not within your line of practice.
Sincerely,
Aleksander Gudbrand.
A lawyer who replied got this response:
Thank you for responding to our request, in regards to your firm representing our company. Find below our debtor information for a conflict check, Once the check has been completed I will like you to advise on the next step which your firm would like to take in regards to representing our company.
RAJ Metals Dubai, Industrial fasteners,
Industrial fasteners Supplier
301, Noor Hassan Building, Near Bori
Masjid, Naif, Diera Dubai.
Jebel Ali
I hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Aleksander Gudbrand
Executive Board of Director
Bjordal IndustrierAS
Telefon:+47 800 10 738
Fax: +47 85 22 83 65
Email: gudbrand1@bjordal-industrieras.com
Bjørdal Industrier AS
Torvmyrane 21, Hovdebygda
6150 Ørsta, Norge
http://www.bjordal-industrier.com/no/
How to handle a real or suspected fraud
If you have been targeted by any of these frauds, please forward any of the emails and supporting documents that you have received to fraudinfo@lawpro.ca.
If you suspect you are acting on a matter that might be a fraud, call LAWPRO at 1-800-410-1013 (416-598-5899). We will talk you through the common fraud scenarios we are seeing and help you spot red flags that may indicate you are being duped. This will help you ask appropriate questions of your client to determine if the matter is legitimate or not. If the matter you are acting on turns out to be a fraud and there is a potential claim, we will work with you to prevent the fraud and minimize potential claims costs.
If you have been successfully duped, please immediately notify LAWPRO as there may be a claim against you.
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Fraud Fact Sheet More fraud prevention information and resources are available on the practicePRO Fraud page, including the Fraud Fact Sheet, a handy reference for lawyers and law firm staff that describes the common frauds and the red flags that can help identify them.
I am an attorney in Nashville, TN, and I received the exact same email today. I knew it was a scam immediately by I am glad you posted this.
I am an attorney in Munich, Germany and I recieved the same email. He wanted me to recieve a cheque of 5.2 million USDollar and to transfer the money by bank transfer.
We are attorneys in Wuppertal/ Germany and received the same text via email and fax today. This is a scam.
Received the e-mail too!
Started googling the name as I didn’t think the case was genuine.
Thanks for posting the scam!
We are in Houston. Received the same email and he even went so far as to call me at my office today.
Thank you for posting.
Got not only the email but a telephone call from the “President” Whenever anyone says they have no issue with your fees before you even quote them, fraud is in the air
Received same recently, name of contact person changed to Al Fournier, Executive Manager.
They found their way to Claremont, California…they use real local companies and names too. It is an amazingly sophisticated operation. Beware.