Separation agreement scam using the name Maki (or Mako) Kennedy
Date First Reported: October 2013
Primary Name Associated: Maki Kennedy
Description of Potential Fraud:
[Updated Nov 2013]
Twenty lawyers in Ontario and the U.S. have notified us that they received an email from the purported Maki (or Mako) Kennedy looking to retain them with regards to a collecting overdue payments resulting from a separation agreement.
This is a classic bad cheque scam that presents as legal matter requiring the assistance of a lawyer. In this scam lawyers will be duped into wiring real funds from their trust accounts after depositing a fake cheque received as payment from the debtor (who is part of the fraud). See our Confirmed Fraud Page for more of an explanation of how these frauds work and to see other names associated with it. Our Fraud Fact Sheet lists the red flags of a bogus legal matter that is really a fraud.
Here is the initial email, subsequent replies and fake documentation sent by the fraudster to the lawyer:
From: Maki Kennedy [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 4:31 AM
Subject: Unpaid support obligations
Please i wish to file a contempt petition against my ex-spouse for failure to make court ordered payments of Child Support, Spousal Support, Equitable distribution and Medical support.Please advise if you handle such case.However,kindly make referral if this is not your area of practice.
Yours Faithfully,
Maki Kennedy.
Replying to the email brought this response:
Thank you for your interest in my case. I would have loved to schedule an appointment to come over to your office for consultation but I am not currently in the states, I live in Japan while my ex husband Brian Kennedy who is a US Citizen lives in your jurisdiction. I and my ex husband fell in love during His UN deployment visit to Japan 1996 and got married 23rd of May, 1997, at Kumamoto Family Court. My ex husband Brian Kennedy is a medical practitioner for the United Nations. Due to my hearing problem (Disability) it is difficult to talk to you on phone, would have loved to discuss this matter on phone but I can read and write very well. If need be it to testify in the United States I will make myself available at that time.
My ex husband and agreed under a separation agreement incorporated, merged into and made part of the court order for a settlement of Child Support, Spouse Support and Medical Support of $918,500.00 USD he has only paid $245,600.00 January 28th, 2013 but still owing $672,900.00 and the stipulated time for the completion of payment April 17th, 2013 has long elapsed.
I am contacting your firm due to the fact that there is already an agreement in place and a court order. For your review I have attached document you will find my ID, in PDF the Court Order and Separation Agreement. I request your firm’s legal service to enforce the court order compelling him to remit balance owed to me. For my review I request your attorney-client retainer agreement and if the terms are acceptable I will sign so we can commence the process as soon as possible. Immediately I receive the retainer agreement I will Sign and return to your office.
Yours Faithfully,
Maki Kennedy.
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.
For more immediate updates on fraud and claims prevention, subscribe to the email or RSS feed updates from LAWPRO’s AvoidAClaim blog.
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.
February 11, 2014 at 7:48 pm, Michael Fate said:
I received the Mako Kennedy email today, so it is still being sent out.
Michael Fate
February 21, 2014 at 2:12 pm, Jean Talburt said:
Our office received a similar email.
February 25, 2014 at 7:36 pm, Shannon Lynch said:
I received one yesterday and today.
February 27, 2014 at 11:08 am, Vlatka Persin said:
I have received a Mako Kennedy e-mail today.
March 10, 2014 at 2:02 pm, Anonymous said:
I have received similar email correspondence from Mako Kennedy. I have also received a check from a Canadian bank for 230, 980.00 dollars which was deposited. I have letter from a investment group. I have copies of separation agreement and decreed. I have telephone number of someone claiming to be Brian Kennedy
March 20, 2014 at 7:17 pm, Larisa said:
Our office has received two correspondences from “Mako Kennedy:” BEWARE
2/2/2014 @ 5:22 am
Mako Kennedy
Email
[email protected]
Message
I am making an inquiry, please indicate if you practice in Domestic Relations, Family law, Child Support. I wish to file a contempt petition against my ex husband for breaching the court order with regards to the above mentioned case. If not your area of practice refer me to a family law attorney.
Thanks,
Mako Kennedy.
3/19/2014 3:26pm
Ms. Mako
Email
[email protected]
Message
I am making an inquiry, please indicate if you practice in Domestic Relations, Family law, Child Support. I wish to file a contempt petition against my ex husband for breaching the court order with regards to the above mentioned case. If not your area of practice refer me to a family law attorney.
Thanks,
Mako Kennedy
March 24, 2014 at 7:27 pm, Bron said:
We received this email on 23 April and 24 April 2014. We are a firm in Australia, so either it was sent to us by mistake or this scam isn’t confined to the United States.
March 25, 2014 at 12:55 pm, Amy said:
Received this last year twice and today again :/
March 26, 2014 at 9:47 am, Michelle said:
Our office received am email this morning saying:
From: “Mako. Kennedy.”
Date: March 26, 2014 at 9:00:51 AM EDT
Subject: Petition.
Reply-To: “[email protected]”
Dear Counsel,
I am making an inquiry, please indicate if you practice in Domestic Relations, Family law, Child Support. I wish to file a contempt petition against my ex husband for breaching the court order with regards to the above mentioned case. If not your area of practice refer me to a family law attorney.
Thanks,
Mako Kennedy.
March 27, 2014 at 4:50 pm, K. Trayah said:
Received this email this week in our office as well. Located in North Carolina.
April 04, 2014 at 1:24 pm, J. Kiebel said:
I also received this email yesterday. Grand Rapids, MI.
April 07, 2014 at 8:56 am, S. Strohacker said:
I received such an email this morning in N.C.
April 10, 2014 at 4:59 pm, Jaime said:
We received this scam 2 days ago in Sarasota, Florida.
April 18, 2014 at 11:22 am, Alyssa said:
Received in Oro Valley, AZ
April 24, 2014 at 2:02 pm, Stephen said:
I received the same email today here in Los Angeles.
I enjoy playing with them and then dropping them like a flat ball.
April 28, 2014 at 6:47 pm, Janet Rubel said:
Beware Legal Practitioners! I received the Mako Kennedy e-mail in Northbrook, IL. last week. Friday I received a purported cashier’s check drawn on the Hudson Valley Bank for $450,000.00. The check number amount was for $4.5 million dollars and the text was for $450.000.00.
There were other red flags such as receiving the check from Canada, a return address on the envelope which is a vacant lot in Chicago and a poorly written letter from the supposed native American ex-husband physician. The letter was not signed.
Thank you for your detective work warning us about these Internet predators.
Janet Rubel
May 14, 2014 at 10:28 am, D Colbert said:
Just received this morning:
Good day,
I am making an inquiry, please indicate if you practice in Domestic Relations, Family law, Child Support. I wish to file a contempt petition against my ex husband for breaching the court order with regards to the above mentioned case. If not your area of practice refer me to a family law attorney.
Thanks,
Mako Kennedy.
May 19, 2014 at 4:47 pm, Raoul Garcia, Esq. said:
I received the Mako email today, 5.19.14. I am in Miami, Florida.
May 22, 2014 at 7:45 pm, Adonis L., LL.B. said:
I am a lawyer practicing in Montreal (Canada). I received the following email today (05-22-2014):
“Dear Counsel
Ref: Legal Inquiry,
I am making an inquiry about possible representation to enforce terms of my dissolution agreement with my former husband. Please advise if you handle such case. I will also need a referral if this case is not within your line of practice.
Yours Truly,
Maki Kennedy.”
June 03, 2014 at 8:45 am, Michelle said:
Fort Lauderdale, FL. We were emailed in March 2014, and again yesterday …email read.
Good day,
I am making an inquiry, please indicate if you practice in Domestic Relations, Family law, Child Support. I wish to file a contempt petition against my ex husband for breaching the court order with regards to the above mentioned case. If not your area of practice refer me to a family law attorney.
Thanks,
Mako Kennedy.
June 23, 2014 at 11:46 am, F. T. Hardy said:
Received the same email in Virginia on June 21, 2014.
July 09, 2014 at 2:53 pm, Jackie said:
Just received this email today:
I am making an inquiry, please indicate if you practice in Domestic Relations, Family law, Child Support. I wish to file a contempt petition against my ex husband for breaching the court order with regards to the above mentioned case. If not your area of practice refer me to a family law attorney. Thanks, Ms. Kennedy
July 18, 2014 at 11:27 am, Mike said:
Received this email on July 17, 2014.
July 23, 2014 at 1:30 pm, Kaye Ford said:
Received this email on July 21, 2013
July 30, 2014 at 1:52 pm, Bradley J. Woodworth said:
I received identical from “Mako Kennedy” on July 28, 2014. My reply that services would commenced only after retainer funds had cleared all international banking collection times, 14+ business days, resulted in receipt of her second detailed letter, with amounts of $918,000+-. Brad Woodworth, Portland, Oregon.
October 21, 2014 at 10:31 am, Michelle said:
This is the second time we have been contacted by her. Message read ….
Name mako kennedy
Email [email protected]
Dear Counsel,
I am making an inquiry, please indicate if you practice in Domestic Relations, Family law, Child Support. I wish to file a contempt petition against my ex husband for breaching the court order with regards to the above mentioned case. If not your area of practice refer me to a family law attorney.
Thanks, Mako Kennedy.
November 01, 2014 at 12:53 pm, Stephen said:
Same message received at our office here in Ontario, Canada on October 31/14.
March 26, 2015 at 4:04 pm, Cynthia Wright said:
Received it last month. Didn’t fall for it though. Also, received similar scam from a Kanae Corporation (Keita Kaneko).
May 13, 2015 at 6:21 pm, Charles McKenzie said:
Our last correspondence with this individual was Sept 2013. Even after signing a service contract agreement, we kept trying to make it clear that we were an investigative agency, not a law firm. Eventually, they stopped contacting us.
However, more recently, we have been getting a new contact with the same story. We also received the Kanae Corp scam as well. Good luck.
September 17, 2015 at 12:21 pm, Samantha said:
This scam is still active. We received the first email from Mako on September 15, 2015.
March 28, 2016 at 9:53 am, Sylvain said:
I am a lawyer from Montreal. I just got this yesterday and replied. I was smelling something fishy. Thanks to your website, I will avoid problems with this and NOT pursue in that request.
Here is the emails that we exchanged.
Hello Sylvain
Thank you for your interest in my case. I would have loved to schedule an appointment to come over to your office for consultation but i am not in Canada, i live in Japan while my ex husband Brian Kennedy is now based in Quebec, Canada.
Myself and my ex husband agreed under a separation agreement for settlement of Child Support, Spouse Support and Medical Support of $918,500.00 USD he has only paid some part but still owing $672,900.00 and the stipulated time for the completion of payment April 17th, 2013 has long elapsed.And am going through a lot right now and need money for health challenges ,my hearing is fast deteriorating and money for the children up keep and health Care.
So, i am in need of your service in collecting this money from him, since he now reside within your legal boundaries .
Meanwhile,i have just inform him of my intention to retain your firm to collect the money from him and from his responds he seem very much afraid of litigation and he don’t want this to result to a court case that may land him in jail. so he is assuring me that he is ready to make some payment, so i advice that all funds should be directed to your office as that is the only way i can compel him to pay without any further delay.
So,he has requested that i forward him the following information below from your firm to enable him issue a part payment to show his readiness to meet his obligation while the balance will be paid soonest.
1 Name to issue the cheque :
2.Your Address:
3.Your Telephone number :
Upon receipt of the payment you shall deduct you hourly charges and any other legal fee applicable for this kind of service.Hope to hear from you ASAP with the information above so that i can forward to him and i could also send his information to you for record purpose.
Attached is copies of the separation agreement and my ID for your file.
Sincerely
Maki Kennedy
On Sat, Mar 26, 2016 at 11:25 PM, Sylvain Lallier wrote:
Hello,
If the defendant resides in the province of Quebec, yes i can handle a case like that.
Envoyé de mon iPad
> Le 26 mars 2016 à 12:10, Maki Ken a écrit :
>
> Hello
>
>
> I am Maki Kennedy in Japan ,I am making an inquiry about possible representation to enforce terms of my dissolution agreement with my Ex. husband who is now based in Canada. Please advise if you handle such case.
>
> Yours Truly,
>
>
> Maki Kennedy
April 29, 2016 at 10:09 am, Kyla said:
Hello
Received the below today in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The scam is still going around.
“I am Maki Kennedy in Japan ,I am making an inquiry about possible representation to enforce terms of my dissolution agreement with my former husband who is now based in Canada. Please advise if you handle such case.
Yours Truly,
Maki Kennedy”
April 29, 2016 at 4:52 pm, Jean-Philippe Caron said:
I juste received that email today…..
April 30, 2016 at 5:01 pm, Anon said:
Same as Kyla above, I have received this email today with the same text.
May 03, 2016 at 12:20 pm, Brian R. Wood Esq. said:
Same email, New York.
May 10, 2016 at 8:38 pm, Veronique Chretien said:
They are definitely at it again. They first contacted me on April 30th. I doubt that they will contact me again, after I kept asking for Brian’s lawyer’s contact information.
May 21, 2016 at 4:06 pm, Daniel J Smith said:
I heard from Maki today. Same scam, same attachments, same details.
June 16, 2016 at 6:32 pm, Christopher Mctaggart said:
I have received these emails twice in the last two months through my attorney’s website. Fact is there is no jurisdiction to enforce these supposed orders anyway… so there is that. But she or whoever is persistent. Its ongoing.
June 30, 2016 at 12:59 pm, Charles D Fantl said:
Received the email through my web site contact page. I am a Florida lawyer. When I get similar emails I first look up to see if the person’s name is on local docketing. Then I google it. It is never in docketing and as in this case when I googled it warnings came up. Then I send a copy to [email protected]. I titled my email “Maki’s back in town” quoting Bertolt Brecht’s timeless song, Mack the Knife.
March 27, 2017 at 10:26 am, Ed said:
The scam is still alive in 2017, under the name of MS Kennedy…same copy. The email was received through our firm’s website contact page.
October 05, 2017 at 3:11 pm, Steve Sanford said:
received today!
From: Rhoda Kennedy
Date: October 5, 2017 at 11:57:38 AM EDT
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Enforcement of litigant’s rights
Reply-To:
—
Dear Counsel,
I wish to file a contempt petition against my ex-spouse for failure to
make court ordered payments of Child Support, Spousal Support, and Medical
support. Please advise if you handle such case. If you do not, kindly send
me a referral.
Yours Truly,
Rhoda.
February 26, 2018 at 5:15 pm, Victor Hugo said:
Still making the rounds it seems. We are based in NY. See initial email below:
From: Maki Kennedy
Date: February 19, 2018 at 5:25:23 PM AST
To: [REDACTED]
Subject: Maki Kennedy
—
Good Day,
I am making an inquiry about possible representation to enforce terms
of my dissolution agreement with my former husband. Please advise if
you handle such case. I will also need a referral if this case is not
within your line of practice.
Yours Truly,
Maki Kennedy