by FraudInfo

Date First Reported: May 2015

Primary Name Associated: Jose Hermida

Description of Potential Fraud:

fraud-warning

A lawyer in Ontario and one in New York have notified us that they have received an email from the purported Jose Hermida of Alliance Machining Technologies (or Lindmark Machining Technologies) with regards to a commercial debt collection scam. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud Page. For an explanation of how this fraud works see our Fraud Fact Sheet.

Here is the initial email:

From: Alliance Machining Technologies Inc.
Sent: Fri, Dec 14, 2012 2:25 pm
Subject: Collection Matter(Please Reply Asap)

Dear Counsel,

On behalf of Alliance Machining Technologies Inc., we request your legal services and possible representation on a Debt Recovery matter involving Alliance Machining Technologies Inc and a client in your jurisdiction.
Do let us know if you are currently accepting new clients. We look forward to a prompt response from you.
Thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Jose Hermida
Alliance Machining Technologies Inc.
49 S Spokane St, Seattle, WA 98134
Tel:206-666-2732

A lawyer who replied got this response which referenced a non-existent firm in Ontario:

From: Lindmark Technlogies Inc. [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 11:41 AM
To:
Subject: RE: Collection Matter (Please Reply Asap)

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your swift response. In the actual fact the total contract sum is $2,000,000 but ” Hess Energy” only paid $400,000 but they have appointed a Lawyer representing them in this matter. Meanwhile please kindly contact their Lawyer on the below information.
McHugh law firm
Contact name: Michael Wilson
914 Queenston Road
Stoney Creek, ON L8G 1B7
Phone number: 1 905 616 0667
[email protected]

Please contact the lawyer representing our client/debtor ” Hess Energy” at the above information and keep me posted on outcome of your communication regarding the outstanding payment ($1,600,000). I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Jose Hermida
Lindmark Machining Technologies Inc.
49 S Spokane St, Seattle, WA 98134 – 2297
Tel:206-666-2732

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.

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.