Got an email from Otake Iwao claiming to want to buy property anywhere in SC.  I sent him some listing to look at and in 5 minutes he picked one and wanted to buy it unseen and wanted a bunch of information on where his deposit would be deposited.  He had an account manager and said he wanted funds available before he arrived in 4 weeks.  Sounded like a total scam and I googled the phone # and it looks like I was right.  Has to be a scam... So.. beware to all Realtors.

So glad I googled this phone number.  I received the email yesterday through Trulia.  Will warn others in the office.Kim

Got emails from a Mr. So Li, supposedly a Canadian resident wanting to buy a property in North Idaho sight unseen for 425K. Gave this phone number as his account manager Mr. Paul Jackson.  Too good to be true.....even sent bank statement with balance of $2.9mil, drivers license and social insurance card.

Same game, different names. Now it's "Wang Tao" and the number is for his attorney, Edward Brown.

Sigh...

This number has been associated to numerous fraud attempts to negotate counterfeit cheques. Please take precautions when dealing with persons from this number.

Thank you SO much for posting this!  So how did you find out that this deal was fraudulent.. did the check not clear?  I have a client right now in Kona, Hawaii, same situation with Mr. Green Sound as the stock broker, and a $150,000 check on a $550k house in cash - interestingly, he made it out to the wrong escrow company and had to be re-cut, but it's being sent now.. why would they tie up their money in escrow like that?  They sent more than was required on the contract, so I'm going to try and call the full amount forward and see what happens.. thanks again for posting!  Blessings from Hawaii anyway!  *:D