Scam Victims Seek Full Compensation

New Zealand Herald:

The lawyers for defrauded franchisees of a Green Acres scam will be issuing a letter demanding full compensation for victims’ losses, possibly today.

‘The letter of demand to Green Acres is ready, and will be going out any time now,’ said Raymond Huo, one of the lawyers acting for the victims, mainly Chinese and Indian immigrants who paid between $21,000 and $25,000 for non-existent ironing businesses to Keith Lapham, the company’s former area manager.

It is understood that the demands include a request for Green Acres to take full responsibility for Lapham’s actions, asking for the return of the money paid to him and for loans for the purchases of the bogus businesses made through the company’s financing arm, FBL Finance, to be nullified.

Failing that, the franchisees want Green Acres to meet all the incomes that had been contractually guaranteed by Lapham, dating back to the time of purchase of the individual businesses.

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