ATTENTION FELLOW AGENTS: Internet Lead SCAM by the name of Akimoto Akamatsu

Hello Fellow Agents,

Internet Lead SCAM by the name of Akimoto Akamatsu akimoto.akamatsu@asia.com

If you receive an email along these lines, beware...it is a scam! I received this lead from Realtor.com. I recently put this buyer under contract and gave specific instructions to wire transfer the earnest funds. He insisted that his "Canadian Rep" mailed the funds regular mail and they would arrive in a few days. The only contact information he provided for this Rep was the phone # 1- 6478354593 with no name.  The phone just rings and rings. After asking multiple times for more contact info, I did a google search of the phone # and come to find out this is a scam that has been happening. There are other names that are being used- Mr. Hirao Noriaki and Tom Shung.

Here is a link to posts from other agents who experienced the same SCAM http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-647-835-4593

http://www.trulia.com/blog/davidwhite/2011/01/attention_fellow_agents_this_gentleman_is_a_fraud_mr_hirao_noriaki#c63954

The motivation is that he will send bogus funds and then immediately cancel so that Title issues a refund with real money. Watch out!

Here is the original email that I received

I will like to offer   $575,000  MLS #: 4492477 because I love the curb appeal of this property, please send me the contract for me to sign and return immediately this will be my retirement home and it will be a cash buy
                    
1. I will want to close on 28 April, 2011
                     
2. I want to put down $50,000.00 Earnest money
 
3. I want to put contingency on inspection on the contract.
 
 
My legal name is Akimoto Akamatsu,  600 Royal York Road, Toronto, ON M8Y 4G5 I will not be in Canada before the closing date to wire the funds to an attorney so I will advice you to send me an attorney information for a check to be drawn to give enough time for check clearance since I wont be in Canada to wire funds for closing.
 
Please forward me a purchase contract agreement in docusign format, DocuSign format is an electronic way of signing document, forward it to me via docusign format, their website is http://www.docusign.com/ or any other electronic document I don't have access to a printer or scanner here therefore I can not sign and send it back in PDF format I am in a remote area of Japan.
 
My Canadian rep  will Issue payment in US Funds for the earnest money for the property payable to your company, the check will be deliver to your company.
 
 please I need your company information for a check to be drawn immediately for the earnest money.
 
 I strongly advice that I need an attorney in your state to represent my interest in this transaction, so therefore I would like to deposit all payment with the lawyer or title company.
 
Please I need the following information from you the attorney or title company information for immediately payment
 
Law Firm or Title Company Name...................................................
Law Firm  or Title Address.......................................................
Law Firm or Title Telephone......................................................
 
Lawyer's or Contact Name...........................................................
 
Regards
Akimoto Akamatsu