by FraudInfo

Date First Reported: September 2012

Primary Name Associated: Michelle Seung

Description of Potential Fraud:

fraud-warning

Seven lawyers in Ontario and the US have notified us that they’ve been contacted by the purported Michelle Seung (or Seug) with regards to a to a collaborative family law agreement dispute. This is a fraud we have seen before under several other names and similar scenarios. For details on how this fraud works and a full list of names attached to it see our Confirmed Fraud page.

Here is the initial email:

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: September 13, 2012 8:11 AM
Subject: Legal Issue

Dear Counsel,

Pardon my mode of communication, I have gone through your profile and am
pleased with your reputation. I would want you to help me file a contempt
petition against my ex-spouse for failure to make court ordered payments of
Child Support and Medical support, please reply to my personal email.
[email protected]

Michelle Seung

A lawyer who replied got this response and fake documentation:

I appreciate your swift response as per my inquiry. I would have visited your office if I was in the states but I live in south Korea while my ex spouse Hadrian Seung who is a citizen of U.S.A lives in St. George, Utah . I and my ex spouse fell in love during his UN deployment visit to south Korea 1995 and got married 1996. He is a medical practitioner for the UN. As a result of my conductive deafness it is difficult to reach you by phone, would have loved to discuss this matter on phone.

I and my ex spouse agreed under a separation Agreement incorporated, merged into and made part of the court decree for a settlement of Child Support, Spousal Support, and Medical support of $781,750USD he has only paid $195,000 but still owing $586,750 and the stipulated time for completion of payment has long elapsed.

This is the reason why I contacted you as there is already an agreement in place. Thus, I request your legal services to enforce the court order compelling him to remit balance owed me. kindly send me a copy of your retainer and if the terms are acceptable I will sign so we can commence the process without delay, Immediately I receive the retainer agreement I will furnish you with all documents concerning this case.

Sincerely
Michelle Seung
# 34 Yonhi Dong,
Seoul, 110-113, South Korea

Seung divorcedecree
Seung separationagreement

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.