Commercial debt collection scam using the names Billy Woodley and Ace Vision Ltd
Date First Reported: March 2014
Primary Name Associated: Billy Woodley
Description of Potential Fraud:
Three U.S. firms have notified us that they received an email from the purported Billy Woodley of Ace Vision 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 contact email sent by the fraudster to the lawyer and subsequent reply:
From: “[email protected]”
To:
Subject: Enquiry
Dear Counsel, I need representation in a breach of sale matter in the amount of $423,706.00. Please advice if this area of practice, so I can forward you more information and a copy of the agreement for your review. reply me back here,[email protected] Warmest Regards, Billy Woodley COMPANY NAME: ACE VISION LTD. Email:[email protected] Tel: 1-888-728-0043 FAX: 1-855-446-8071
Replying to the email brought this response:
Thanks for your prompt response.At Ace-Vision we provide our customers the finest choices on professional video cameras,Lightings and accessories,films and binoculars for movies,music video and commercial adverts.The buyer Phillip Palmer has been our clients for a few years.We are very disappointed at his refusal to pay according to the sales agreement despite the 90 days of grace and credit granted to him and his company. At this point my company has no other alternative than to attempt to litigate this issue, at the risk of negatively affecting our business relationship.Attached is a copy the sales agreement and invoice in pdf format for your review.
In this current economic climate, we can’t afford to have $423,706.00 pending indefinitely with a customer.I understand that your firm must be retained before any attempt to collect from Mr Palmer. I am therefore requesting that you send me a copy of your retainer form or engagement letter, and if the terms are acceptable , I will sign and arrange for the retainer payment sent to your attention.
Below is the customer information :
Phillip Palmer
Lake Worth, FL
Warmest Regards,
Billy Woodley
ACE-VISION
Cameras,Lights & Lens
4966 Queen Street
Toronto,Ontario.
M5M 4G8.
TEL: 1-888-728-0043
FAX: 1-855-446-8071
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.
May 27, 2014 at 3:24 pm, Ashanti Ali said:
I received this today. Need verification of authenticity. If it’s not a scam then I’m a victim of identity theft.
Date: Tue, 27 May 2014 23:32:19 +0530
Subject: Reference-Case File Number #: FL3-394638
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
CASE FILE #: FL3-394638
LOAN INFORMATION
PAST DUE AMOUNT – $856.24
CREDITOR – ACE CASH SERVICES.
You are going to be legally prosecuted in the Court House within couple of days. Your SSN is put on hold by US Government, so before something goes wrong we would like to notify you about this matter. It seems apparent that you have chosen to ignore all our efforts to contact you in order to resolve your debt with Payday Services. At this point you have made your intentions clear and leave us no choice but to protect our interest in this matter.
Your line of credit is over 60 days past due, but it is not too late to restore your good standing!
We want to serve as your trusted financial resource in the future, but to do that; we’ll need to come to an agreement on the past-due balance.
If you believe you are unable afford the payment options we have offered, contact us right away by phone or email and we will do our best to accommodate an amount you can commit to.
UNITED LEGAL INVESTIGATION BUREAU HAS STATED 4 SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST YOU AND THEY ARE:
(1) VIOLATION OF FEDERAL BANKING REGULATION
(2) COLLATERAL CHECK FRAUD
(3) THEFT BY DECEPTION
(4) AND THE BIGGEST ONE IS E.F.T. THAT IS ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER
Now, this means few things for you. If you are under any state probation or payroll we need you to inform your superior or manager what you have done in the past and what would be the consequences once the case has been downloaded and executed in your name. If we do not hear from you within 48 hours of the date on this letter, we will be compelled to seek legal representation from our in-house attorney. We reserve the right to commence litigation for intent to commit wire fraud under the pretense of refusing to repay a debt committed to, by use of the internet. In addition we reserve the right to seek recovery for the balance due, as well as legal fees and any court cost incurred.
WE HAVE ALL THE RIGHTS RESERVED TO INFORM TO FBI, FTC, YOUR EMPLOYER AND BANK ABOUT FRAUD.
And once you found guilty into the court house than you have to bear the entire cost for this law suit $4271.15 which is excluding loan amount, attorney’s fees, and the interest charges. You have the right to hire an attorney. If you don’t have one or if you can’t afford then one will be appointed to you. We believe that this was not your intent and that these steps are unnecessary. We merely require you to contact our recovery asset location department at +1- 347 468 8908 between 9:30 to 6:30 (EST).
IF YOU WANT TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER THAN IMMEDIATELY CONTACT US THRU EMAIL OR CALL US BETWEEN WORKING HOURS ON +1- 347 468 8908
UNITED STATES OF ATTORNEY
Copyright © 2006 ACS | Privacy | Terms of use
ACE CASH SERVICES.
Phone: (347) 468-8908
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Confidentiality Statement & Notice: This email is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521 and intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. Any review, retransmission, dissemination to unauthorized persons or other use of the original message and any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you received this electronic transmission in error, please reply to the above-referenced sender about the error and permanently delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation.
May 28, 2014 at 11:52 am, TimLemieux said:
It’s a scam.
May 28, 2014 at 4:24 pm, Perri said:
I received the same exact email today. Same reference number and amount.
February 19, 2015 at 5:15 pm, CATHY said:
i received the same email from two different pigs and two different phone numbers for the same account that i never took money out with