by FraudInfo

Date First Reported: March 2013

Primary Name Associated: Wendy Tadaharu

Description of Potential Fraud:

fraud-warning

Ten Ontario lawyers have notified us that they’ve been contacted by the purported Wendy Tadaharu with regards to a to a collaborative family law agreement dispute. This is a fraud we have seen before under several other names and similar scenarios. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud Page. For an explanation of how this fraud works see our Fraud Fact Sheet.

Here is the initial email:

From: Wendy Tadaharu [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: March-10-13 4:34 PM
Subject: Legal Inquiry

I need your legal help over a Settlement Agreement funds against me and my ex husband who resides in your jurisdiction.Do get back to me on my alternaive email I.d [email protected]

A lawyer who replied got this response and counterfeit documentation.

Dear Counsel

I thank you for your response. I am living in South Korea and My ex husband David Tadaharu lives in your jurisdiction. I tried calling a couple of times and with the time difference (+13hrs EST) it is a little bit difficult to gauge the best time to reach you. We agreed under the Settlement Agreement attached to this email for a onetime cash settlement of $623,000.00 usd to his credit, he has paid me $122,000.00 usd but still owing $501,000.00 usd. He is aware of my intention to seek legal actions. I have already advised him I am planning on retaining your firm. Proceed and send me a copy of your service retainer fee agreement so I can preview and go through the terms and conditions of your firm also send along the mode of remittance. Thank you and awaits your soonest response.

Regards,

Ms. Wendy Tadaharu

TADAHARU SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

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 [email protected].

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.