Commercial debt collection scam by Yasuhiro Akahane of Akahane Electronics Industry Corp
Date First Reported: September 2012
Primary Name Associated: Yasuhiro Akahane
Description of Potential Fraud:
Thirteen lawyers in Canada and the US have notified us that they have received an email from the purported Yasuhiro Akahane of Akahane Electronics Industry Corp regards to a commercial debt litigation scam. 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: Yasuhiro Akahane [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 7:10 PM
To: Lawyer name
Subject: I need a Business/Commercial litigation lawyer
Dear Sir/Madam,
Akahane Electronics Industry. Corp.
is a Japan based company We require your firms Legal services in some outstanding payment matters with a number of debtors in your juridiction.
Please confirm your firm’s availability in this regards for services, as we await your prompt reply.
Do have a nice day.
Yasuhiro Akahane
Senior Executive Manager
Akahane Electronics Industry. Corp.
Rm.1101, Castle Shinjuku
31-4, Yoyogi 4-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
ZIP 151-0053
Ph: (03)3474-6711:
A lawyer who replied got the following response and fake documentation:
Thanks for your responds, please see attached document for your review run a conflict check and advice on your retainer fee
our opposing company information is below the breach of contract is for the sum of $1,150,000.00
Debtor
De Hart Marine Electronics Inc
134 W Carolina Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103-4612
Please send us retainer agreement ( engagement letter) looking forward hearing from you.
Regards
Yasuhiro Akahane
Senior Executive Manager
Akahane Electronics Industry. Corp.
Rm.1101, Castle Shinjuku
31-4, Yoyogi 4-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
ZIP 151-0053
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].
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September 19, 2012 at 12:23 pm, Bryan Pitt said:
I received a similar email on 9-19-12. Here “Yashuhiro Akahane” has the title of “Accounts Officer” at Akahane Electronics Industry. Corp.
November 23, 2012 at 10:09 am, Branden Snyder said:
I knew this was a scam immediately, because I am a small one person firm and there’s really no way some foreign company is soliciting something like this from me. But I’m curious as to how the scam is supposed to work. Can anyone explain it?
November 26, 2012 at 1:06 pm, TimLemieux said:
Hi Branden,
The scam involves a fake debtor sending payment to your office. The payment will be counterfeit, and you’ll be asked to deposit it into your trust account, keep your fees, and wire the balance overseas. By the time your bank realizes its a fake check, the money will be gone and you’ll be left with the shortfall.
February 18, 2013 at 1:56 pm, Ashley Phillips said:
I have been playing around with this guy for about a week. I knew it was a scam but was surprised to actually find him pop up on this website. For shame Mr. Akahane.
October 14, 2014 at 11:55 am, James Mullane said:
Akahane Electronics Industrial Corporation is a legitimate company and a well respected resistor manufacturer in Japan.
Someone is using their name and the name of one of their officers in this scam. As you can see, the emails that are used do not have a domain related to Akahane Electronics. Their official domain is @akaneohm.com