Commercial debt collection scam using the name Ronald Miele Jr.
Date First Reported: October 2014
Primary Name Associated: Ronald Miele
Description of Potential Fraud:
An Ontario firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Ronald Miele Jr. 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 from the fraudster to the lawyer:
From: Ronald Miele Jr
To:
Dear Counsel,
On behalf of my firm, I wish to request for your legal services and possible representation in dealing with our customer in your locality. I look forward to a prompt response from you.
Sincerely,
Ronald Miele Jr.
President
Don B Tool CO.
22806 Dequindre Road
Warren, MI 48091
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.
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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.
October 20, 2014 at 2:52 pm, Joseph Gufford said:
I am in receipt of your prompt response to my email. I need your legal representation in a possible litigation matter involving KRIEGER MACHINE CO.3099 Southeast Monroe Street Stuart, FL 34997. They owe my firm for goods delivered in good condition. The value of the goods delivered is $398,750.00.(Three Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars). We received an initial deposit of $100,000.00. Due date for the remaining balance payment was the 30th of September, 2014 as stipulated in the invoice.
Please, run a conflict check on my debtor and also state your hourly rate and retainer fee.
I will like you to be aware of the cordial relationship my firm had shared with our customer over the years and would want to maintain that business relationship after collection of the outstanding sum owed to us.
Do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions.
I look forward to a timely response from you.
Sincerely,
Ronald Miele Jr.
President
DON B TOOL CO.
22806 Dequindre Road
Warren, MI 48091.
Direct Tel:(586) 477-4605
Fax:(586) 943-6044
October 22, 2014 at 11:11 am, Lisa said:
Our office received the following email from “Ronald Miele Jr ” on Weds, Oct 15, 2014 @ 9:45 am:
“Dear Counsel,
On behalf of my firm, I wish to request for your legal services and possible representation in dealing with our customer in your locality. I look forward to a prompt response from you.
Sincerely,
Ronald Miele Jr.
President
Don B Tool CO.
22806 Dequindre Road
Warren, MI 48091”
I did a search on it this morning as I felt it was a scam and found your post. Thank you.
October 28, 2014 at 11:29 am, Vegas Attorney said:
I received the same emails for Las Vegas, NV. The first and the second as noted above – just with a Las Vegas company but with the exact dollar sum. I had searched this individual and company initially and found that Mr. Miele had passed away a couple of years ago. I wanted to see if he was a “Sr.” to confirm the “Jr.” aspect of the email and found this helpful fraud noted. The following is the obituary for Mr. Miele from July 11, 2012 noting no son by the name of Ronald:
Ronald J. Miele, age 61, passed away July 9, at his home. He was the President of Don B. Tool, Inc. in Warren for the past 21 years and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Eastpointe, MI., He is survived by his wife Nanette; daughter Nicole(Clif)Miele-Kerns; grandfather of Caleb, Noah and Lucas; step-grandfather of C.J., Jacob and Aiden. Brother of August Jr.(Jean) and Angelo(Connie). Many nieces and nephews also survive. Pre-deceased by his parents August and Florence and sisters Mary Jane and Beverly. Visitation Thursday 2-9p.m., Scripture 7p.m. with a time of sharing to follow at the St. Clair Shores Chapel of the Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 25800 Harper Avenue. Instate Friday 10:30 a.m. until time of Mass 11 a.m. at St. Mark Church, 4401 Bart, Warren (1 block East of Ryan, 1 block North of 9 Mile Road). Share a memory with the family at www.bcfh.com.