Commercial debt collection scam by Daiki Izawa of Japan General Appliance
Description of Potential Fraud:

[updated July 2013]
Twenty California lawyers notified us that they received an email from the purported Daiki Izawa of Japan General Appliance with regards to a commercial debt collection 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: Daiki Izawa
Date: June 13, 2013, 8:39:29 PM PDT
To:
Subject: Legal Represent
We are Japan General Appliance Co., Ltd and We would like to know if you have conflict that will prevent you from representing us against an entity in your jurisdiction.
This matter regards shipment and product’s standard. We have explore all avenues to resolve this issue amicably, unfortunately we have not progressed as expected.
If you require the name of the opposing party to conduct your conflict check, please respond to our inquiry and we are ready to pay your retainer fee immediately.
Yours Sincerely,
Daiki Izawa CEO/CFO
Japan General Appliance Co.,Ltd.
11th Fl., TT-1 Bldg. 14-8, Nihonbashi
Ningyo-cho 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
ZIP 103-0013
TEL: 03-5643-1331
Email;[email protected]
www.jgap.co.jp
A lawyer who replied got this response:
Thanks for the update below is the default customer information, please run a conflict check and advise us on your retainer fee also send us your retainer agreement. The outstanding debt is $650,000.00USD
Adverse Party
Howard Appliances
25415 Crenshaw Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90505-6122
Yours Sincerely,
Daiki Izawa CEO/CFO
Japan General Appliance Co.,Ltd.
11th Fl., TT-1 Bldg. 14-8, Nihonbashi
Ningyo-cho 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
ZIP 103-0013
TEL: 03-5643-1331
Email;[email protected]
www.jgap.co.jp
And then this email:
We have notify our debtor that we are taking legal action against them for not paying us our money since we deliver our product to them and we also advise them that we have communicate with your firm for legal representation in this matter and we are delighted to inform you that we received a message from our customer (DEBTOR) company today they have issued a part payment of $450,000.00 to your firm as a part money owed to our company.
Debtor is now scared of litigation, All effort to try and collect our money as not been successful and they have not respond to previous demand letter.
Its great opportunity to collect our money from them so please accept the payment and deduct your fee from the payment, notify us once you have receive and deposit the payment in your account, we shall forward you our account information for you to wire transfer us the proceed.
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.
June 19, 2013 at 1:14 pm, Lester said:
I just got that same email. Thank you for posting this. In my experience, no potential client starts out by offering to pay a retainer right away.
June 26, 2013 at 7:22 pm, bc yim said:
Here’s the proof — actual e-m from the real CEO of Japan General Appliance Co., Ltd. Ken-Ichi Izasawa, to me; He says “Daiki Izawa” is a fraud, doesn’t work for the company, and is running around impersonating an officer of their company, which he obviously is not.
From Ken-Ichi Izasawa, real CEO of Japan General Appliance, Co., Ltd.:
Dear Mr. Casey Yim
We don’t have Daiki Izawa in our company.
It is SPAM mail. He is impersonating our CEO.
It is better carry out no participating in this matter.
Regards,
Ken Izasawa
Japan General Appliance Co., Ltd
—– Original Message —–
From: Casey Yim
To: ‘[email protected]’
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 4:53 AM
Subject: Daiki Izawa
Do you have some named Daiki Izawa at your company? Please advise of his contact information.
Thank you
June 27, 2013 at 1:44 pm, gregor Woodward said:
thank you. I was hit with two scams within days. Thankfully, I can let these things rest….
March 19, 2015 at 1:24 pm, Frank Lategano said:
I received a similar solicitation from a company named Daiki Steel. I have pasted it below. It is being propagated by a person on LinkedIn. Is this also a scam?
“Attention, Thank you for your interest in learning about our company and the contract proposal. In April 1959, the Company made a new start, with Nihon Teppan Corporation and Nichia Steel Works, Ltd., merging to form Daiki Steel Co. Ltd Co., Ltd. In 1962, the company constructed a blast furnace, emerging as an integrated steelmaker. Furthermore, the company developed a unique industry position as a manufacturer specialized in light-gauge materials, including surface-treated products and stainless steel sheets. Daiki Steel Co. Ltd’s Group companies in Japan comprise 30 entities operating in a host of businesses. We have fabricating and processing companies that add value by processing our products, companies that sell our products, companies that process raw materials for us, and companies that provide us with transportation and a variety of other services. Our principal distinguishing characteristic is the formation of a group centered on the Company’s steel business. We are experiencing difficulties in processing cheque payments from our customers in Canada and USA due to difference in banking laws and procedures as it take a longer time {4-6 weeks} for a Canadian cheque and American cheque to clear the bank here in Japan. This has prompted us to contact you to represent our interest in Canada/USA to receive and process cheque payments on behalf of Daiki Steel Co. Ltd’s from our customers in that region. We got your contact information from a Canadian Marketing Research company (TNS Canada). Presently, we are been owed huge amounts of funds by some of our customers in Canada and USA, some have agreed to begin Installmental payment. Thus, we wish to contract you to partner with us as a representative in Canada/USA to receive and process the payments in order to beat the challenges associated with payment for products supplied. We have two categories of partnership available, namely:
Individual Partnership: This is for reliable persons/Individuals.
Corporate Partnership: This is for company owners who wish to register their company with us to represent our interest.
This representative partnership is independent of career or business type and does not require much time or travelling. “
May 28, 2015 at 4:53 pm, Angela said:
Hi ,
I received the below email through my LinkedIn account. It looks a bit shady and wondered if anyone has seen this version.
Alexander Lee
Marketing & Strategic Development at BusinessHive.com
Hello
With a deep view into your Linkedin profile, I can tell you have a very good reputation. Thought this opportunity may be of interest to you, If not I apologize for the intrusion. Daiki Steel Co. Ltd is currently seeking reputable company or individual to serve as their Online Affiliate/Account Receivable Agent in the USA / Canada, It’s an online part time activity which pays well. If interested, kindly indicate your interest by sending a direct email to the HR Director Mr. Sange Takezo, on his professional email: ( [email protected] , Alternative Email: [email protected] ) Upon your response you will be briefed on more details.
Yours Sincerely,
Alexander Lee
Reply to Alexander
July 09, 2015 at 4:56 pm, Eric LeRiche said:
What is the scam exactly? Do they ask for money?
July 10, 2015 at 11:59 am, TimLemieux said:
They ask you to collect a debt, the (fake) debtor sends a (fake) payment check to the lawyer’s office. The lawyer is asked to cash the check, wire the money and deduct their fee. A few days later the bank will realize the check was fake and lawyer will be left holding the bag.
July 10, 2015 at 1:02 pm, Eric LeRiche said:
Wow, thanks for the explaination. I never believed this was real but I was curious how the fraud worked but your explaination is clear. Thanks
Eric
December 16, 2015 at 11:46 am, imi said:
Osayuki Steel Co., Ltd first and foremost would like to thank you for considering our offer to be our representative in Canada, by assisting Osayuki Steel Co., Ltd to communicate and also retrieval of overdue payments from our customers/clients who are located in Canada. Osayuki Steel Co., Ltd is a Japanese conglomerate primarily engaged in Automotive Products, Construction, Electrical Appliances, Industrial Machinery and Electronics. We are also into production and trading of Coated Steel, Stainless Steel, Special Steel, Hot and Cold Rolled Ordinary Steel. Kindly view our webpage on Google search Engine.
We have clients in Canada that has not meet up to the normal payment schedule of 30 days after confirming the delivery of products sent to them in good condition. Based on research and past experience we have discovered that having a representative in the same region with our client, it becomes very easy for them to comply and pay in due time, that is why we require Representatives in Canada who can easily communicate with our customer via email and telephone means. We shall provide you with all information which you will require to prove the existence of debt owed by the customer/client.
We confirm in good faith that we are ready to work with you and also we must let you know that any payment made to you on behalf of our company, you shall earn 5% as commission and also you will be placed on a monthly payment of $3,000.00 to $5,000.00 based on your credibility if you are willing and ready to assist our company without any illegal act.
You have been requested to furnish us with your full contact information which consist of the following.
Full Names:
Full Contact/Postal Address:
Your Company Name:
The Position Held:
Tel and Cell Number:
Upon receipt of your details, we shall send you our “MOU” document for you to sign and return back to us. We have approximately $18,198,000.00 worth of payment with different clients/companies from different regions in Canada currently owed to Osayuki Steel Co.,Ltd .
Waiting to hear from you.
Best Regards
Kim Tanshi, VP
Osayuki Steel
Co., Ltd
January 31, 2016 at 9:47 am, Jason Culbreth said:
Osayuki Steel Co is real! I am presently one of their biggest representative in the US. They pay their representative according to what is agreed by both parties.
April 29, 2016 at 10:22 am, Sam G. said:
Hello Sam G,
Osayuki Stainless Steel Company would like to thank you for taking your time and emailing us regarding our HOME/OFFICE JOB OFFER. We looking for individuals who are willing to represent Osayuki Stainless Steel Company to communicate and also retrieval of overdue payments from our customers/clients who are located in Northern America (US/Canada). Osayuki Stainless Steel Company is a Japanese conglomerate primarily engaged in Automotive Products, Construction, Electrical Appliances, Industrial Machinery and Electronics. We are also into production and trading of Coated Steel, Stainless Steel, Special Steel, Hot and Cold Rolled Ordinary Steel. Kindly view our webpage on Google search Engine.
We have clients in US/Canada that haven’t met up to the normal payment schedule of 30 days after confirming the delivery of products sent to them in good condition. Based on research and past experience we have discovered that having a representative in the same region with our client, it becomes very easy for them to comply and pay in due time. This is why we require Representatives in US/Canada who can easily communicate with our customer via email and telephone means. We shall provide you with all information which you will require to prove the existence of debt owed by the customer/client.
Benefits:
We confirm in good faith that we are ready to work with you and also we must let you know that any payment made to you on behalf of our company, you shall earn 5% as commission and also you will be placed on a monthly payment of $5,000.00 based on your credibility if you are willing and ready to assist our company without any illegal act.
You have been requested to furnish us with your full contact information which consist of the following.
1. Full Names:
2. Full Contact/Postal Address:
3. Your Company Name:
4. The Position Held:
5. Tel #:
6. Cell #:
Upon receipt of your details, we shall send you our “MOU” document for you to sign and return back to us. We have approximately $18,198,000.00 worth of payment with different clients/companies from different regions in US/Canada currently owed to Osayuki Stainless Steel Company. Kindly provide the required above details asap.
Best Regards
Lee Song, VP
Osayuki Stainless Steel Company
Phone: +81 345 100 732
May 22, 2017 at 5:36 pm, sam said:
And now this is what the new job description looks like!
Hello .
Thank you for your prompt response. In My previous email, I gave you a brief summary of our company and what we do. This e-mail explains the position we are looking to partner with you.
REPRESENTATIVE OPPORTUNITY:
With our full range of products. Due to high demand and customer overdue payments, we seek competent Individuals and Companies to act as our representatives in their respective location (USA and Canada). Based on research and past experience we have discovered that having representatives in the same region with our customers makes it very easy for them to comply and pay in due time. To this effect, the company board has resolved we engage in the recruitment of Representatives who can easily communicate with our customer via email and telephone and act as our Agents in the retrieval of these overdue Invoices.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Main Job description includes assisting Mitsubishi Chemical Kaiteki Company to communicate and also in the retrieval of overdue payments from our customers/clients who are located in the North America region. We have clients all over this region that is yet to meet up with the normal payment schedule of 30 days after confirming the delivery of products sent to them in good condition. Note: This is a part time opportunity and you do not need to leave your current job, this take less than one hour of your time daily.
COMMISSION AND COMPENSATION:
We confirm that we are ready to work with you with an annual base fee of $45,000.00 USD (For Individual Representation; representing us as an Individual) and $60,000 USD (For company Representation; Representing us with or as a company). This will be paid monthly in the sum of $3750 and $5000 for individual and company representation respectively.
You shall also earn a 3% commission (Individual Representation) and 6% commission (Corporate/Company representation) from any owed amount retrieved through you on behalf of the company as our representative to cover for phone, Internet and Miscellaneous bills.
SKILLS REQUIRED:
Corporate Communication
Record Keeping
As soon as you acknowledge and indicate interest in working with us, we shall be providing you with the necessary details as to our approval process. Thank you and waiting to hear from you soon.
Best Regards
Daiki Akihiko,,
+81345403791
November 06, 2017 at 2:32 am, Mike said:
WATCH OUT FOR YAMAGUCHI STEEL….PHONEY WEBSITE…i TOLD THEN TO f OFF AND MY LAST EMAIL was a threat to kill me. phoney debtor in Canada is Bretton Investments in Canada.
May 04, 2020 at 7:54 am, Joe said:
Thank you for your response to our inquirer, JUTEC Holdings Corporation is an industrial company that deals on building materials and providing quality housing materials to our customers, we focus on building and renovating homes, even providing support for cloud-based IT systems for our customers to serve their varying needs.. Our head office is based in Japan.
In line with our business reorganization, we wish to contract you to act as our company representative and contact point in Canada and America. We will be seeking to engage your services in the area of collaborative customer’s representative as our company financial coordinator in your region. Our aim is to project for real time service delivery to our customers and more importantly, we wish to eliminate the delayed in receiving and processing payment from our customers by our local banks here in Japan. It has been proven that it will be much more convenient and timely for customers in settling their due invoice owned when means of remittance is available within the confine of their region. Hence, we need the services of reliable companies or entrepreneurial individuals.The job is simple and structure without affecting your present occupation and it will only be requiring few seconds, minute or hour of your time as the case may be.
The main duties / responsibilities will be for you to;
Act as an intermediary between JUTEC Holdings Corporation and our customers in your region. Received payment from our customers in Canada and America, process and remit same to the company while keeping records of payment received and payout. As our partner, you will be entitled to $4,000 USD monthly and (plus) 7% of any payment that is made to you from our customers and remitted through you. Subject to your satisfaction and acceptance of our job description and enumeration above, we can then possibly draft a working agreement for your possible review and attention. Please the below information will be required for the purpose of the agreement to be prepared before commencement.
Full Names:
Full Contact/Postal Address:
Company Name:
Position Held:
Tel and Fax Number:
When the working agreement has been accepted and signs by JUTEC Holdings Corporation and your good self, the job and representative status will takes effect. Detail and newsletter will then be communicated to our customer in your region as they will be formally notify and directed to contact you as our representative. A copy of the due invoice(s) for any expected payment will be made available for your reference. Our present customers overdue invoices amount to $5,487.605.86 USD. And we are expecting them to settle all or part of these outstanding invoices within the next three months as we have put them on notice.
We look forward to working with you. Please feel free to contact me in earnest for any additional information you may require in order for us to move forward. We hope to read from you soonest as we are eager to have a workable system in place as we have put customer’s due payment on the waiting list.
Your acknowledgement of my message would be appreciated
Thank You
Kenichiro Adachi
President,
JUTEC Holdings Corporation