Commercial debt collection scam using the names Kazumi Shizuka and Korin Electronics
Description of Potential Fraud:
A California firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Kazumi Shizuka and Korin Electronics looking to retain them with regards to a commercial debt collection.
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 from the fraudster to the lawyer:
From: Korin Electronics Co Ltd [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2014 4:42 PM
To: Reception
Subject: consultation
This is a request for your legal consultation services, I would like your advice regarding possible representation on a litigation case concerning breach of contract/collection matters.
Thanks,
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. Instructions on how to report a claim are here.
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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.
December 31, 2014 at 7:19 pm, Mark said:
Received the Sankyo/Kimura email, as well as this earlier Shizuka/Korin – it has been a while since I’ve received something like this – last one was from what appeared to be legit Germany company.
Last time, I returned the request with a number of due-diligence questions – including conflicts & previous agent/attorneys.
Not too surprizingly, never got follow-up.