by FraudInfo

Date First Reported: May 2012

Primary Name Associated: Anna Eriksson

Description of Potential Fraud:

fraud-warning

Five Ontario lawyers have notified us that they’ve received an email from the purported Anna Eriksson 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 load frauds.

Here is the initial email:

From: Anna G. Eriksson [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 9:00 PM
To: lawyer name
Subject: Assistance.

Dear Counsel,

I’m in the process of attaining an attorney that will assist me in collecting funds that i loaned a friend that currently resides in your jurisdiction. Please do advise if this is a case you can assist me with, to enable me furnish you with more details.

Truly yours

Anna G. Eriksson

A lawyer who responded got the following reply and supporting documentation:

I am attaching the loan agreement that was reached between me and my friend Daniel Stone, who currently lives at 800 Dundas Street East Mississauga, ON L4Y 2B6. I loaned him the sum of $110.000.00 in March of 2011. When he claimed his business was going through financial difficulties. He has been coming up with one reason or the other why he has not been able to pay me back the money since the due date which was the 8th of March 2012. I am currently away from the states on an assignment in Asia, hence my seeking your assistance to help me collect my money from him. Also attached is the proof of the loan and a copy of my pasport. My address in the state is on the promissory note, and i can be reach now at +81357869232
Forwarded below is the last email I received from him when I told him I was seeking the assistance of an attorney, to help me collect my money from him. I did not reply his email, because I do not believe a word from him anymore. Please do forward me your retainer agreement and your terms for my review, if this is something you can assist me with.

Best Regards

Anna Eriksson

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Daniel Stone
Date: Thu, Mar 22, 2012 at 4:02 PM
Subject: Payment.
To: [email protected]

Dear Anna,

How are you doing today? I have been trying to reach you through the phone number I contacted you the last time we spoke. Anna, it really sadden me to know that you are seeking legal representation to file a case against me regarding the $110.000.00. It’s my belief that we can settle this without the intervention of an Attorney. I will be able to pay a substantial amount of the loan within a few weeks.

But if you insist you are going to collect your money through a lawyer, I can understand your concern, it’s my entire fault. I have promised you countless of times without coming up with the money. But seriously, do give me the benefit of doubt this time. You know I have relocated to Canada since last year summer, but this does not stop me from paying the money you loaned me. I will advise you forward me the contact information of your lawyer, so that I can negotiate my payment plans with him or her. I really would not want any court filing against me because I stand a lot to lose please.

Anticipating hearing a positive reply from you.

Thanks

Daniel Stone.

Eriksson Promissory Note

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.