Commercial debt collection scam using the names John Moorcroft and Adey Steel Ltd
Date First Reported: July 2014
Primary Name Associated: John Moorcroft
Description of Potential Fraud:
Firms in Arizona and California notified us that they received an email from the purported David Norman of Moog Components Group Ltd 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 sent by the fraudster to the lawyer:
From: John Moorcroft [email protected]
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2014 3:15 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Legal Assistance
I want to inquire if your firm handles breach of contract cases. A
referral will be welcomed if this is not your area of practice.
Regards
John Moorcroft
Replying to the email brought this response:
Good Morning,
Thanks for your response, I want to indulge your firm to represent us with regards to a contract case. Find below our debtors information for a conflict check, before we can schedule for a telephone conference.
Steelmax Corporation
5868 E Berneil Lane Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
We hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
John Moorcroft.
Adey Steel Ltd
Falcon Industrial Park
Meadow Lane Loughborough
Leicestershire LE11 1HL
T: +44 793 701 4296
F: +44 809 174 0930
adeysteel.co.uk
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.
For more immediate updates on fraud and claims prevention, subscribe to the email or RSS feed updates from LAWPRO’s AvoidAClaim blog.
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.
July 15, 2014 at 5:59 pm, William Berce said:
I just got the following e-mail from “John Moorcraft” with no identifying info, other than “Legal Issue” in the header and John Moorcroft as sender.
July 15, 2014.
I guess i’m on their list of dumb clucks.
QUOTE:
We have a claim of breach of contract based on a written agreement. Looking for an attorney to help enforce our contract rights and obtain damages. Get back to us if you have handled claims of breach of contract cases on behalf of businesses
John Moorcroft
UNQUOTE
July 18, 2014 at 1:12 pm, Genna said:
I also received an email from a John Moorcroft, but as manager of Red Band, UK. An email to the company verified that he is not affiliated with the company.
July 21, 2014 at 3:43 pm, Ardesco said:
I just got a call today from John Moorcroft of Red Band, UK.
These scammers are still looking for attorneys to hit.
July 24, 2014 at 3:39 pm, BigDob said:
Got two emails from “John” … email address was [email protected]. This was his second email:
I’ve got a long evening ahead of me trying to sort out paper work in my office. Am making a business trip out of town. You will receive a brief on the case for you to digest. Will be gone for a few days and will get across to you when am back so we can take it up from there. Let me know if that works for you?
July 25, 2014 at 1:31 pm, Jerry said:
We have been emailing a John Moorcroft of Red Band UK LTD. He claims to have a contract case with a Redondo Beach, CA company called Ferguson Enterprises. We started to smell something was wrong when he refused to provide a retainer and instead requested our firm accept funds from the alleged debtor, Ferguson Enterprises. Google John Moorcroft scam in google and you will see what he tries to do.
October 06, 2014 at 3:05 pm, Mike said:
I just received this one from:
Eric Stricker
Chief Operating Officer
Koch Guitar Electronics
Buys ballotstraat 3bu3
2693BD ‘s-Gravenzande The Netherlands
Direct line: +31713020285
fax: +31718900681
October 13, 2014 at 2:18 pm, Brandy said:
I just received the Eric Stricker one as well. When you google this guy, he has a LinkedIn profile that appears legit and there really is a Koch Guitar Electronics. The email I received had only an email address – no phone or other contact info – which is what raised a red flag.
October 13, 2014 at 3:57 pm, Clint said:
I received the same thing from Eric Stricker with the exact information identified above.