Commercial equipment purchase scam using the names Zuoshang Xu and Hung Hua Construction Corporation
Date First Reported: August 2015
Primary Name Associated: Zuoshang Xu
Description of Potential Fraud:
An Ontario firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Zuoshang Xu of Hung Hua Construction Corporation looking to retain them with regards to making a large commercial purchase.
This appears to be a 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 purchaser (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 to the lawyer:
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 19-Aug-15 04:34
To:
Subject: Urgent
Hello Attorney,
I am writing you on behalf of my company; Hung Hua Corporation Ltd. We are
in the process of starting an equipment sales transaction with a client in
your state. Please advise if your firm handles sales /purchase transactions
and agreement as we are in need of a competent and reliable law
firm/attorney to represent us.
We will be happy to get a referral from you if this is not your area of
practice.
PS: I got your contact details via internet search as we are in dire need of
a competent lawyer to handle this matter for us. Due to language barrier and
time difference, communication via e-mail will be most preferable at this
time.
Regards,
Zuoshang Xu
Sales Manager
Hung Hua Construction Corporation Ltd
11F., No.257, Hsueh Shih Rd.,
Taichung, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
TEL: 886422067998
FAX: 886421026767
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hunghua.com.tw
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 SheetMore 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.
August 27, 2015 at 12:16 pm, Daniel J said:
Wow. I can’t believe that some people will stoop this low. Incredible.
October 26, 2015 at 3:25 am, JF said:
I received a similar email from the same email address yesterday – thanks for putting this warning up!
October 26, 2015 at 4:10 pm, David Watson said:
Same here. So far, the party to the transaction doesn’t exist according to its corporate counsel.
November 02, 2015 at 6:50 pm, David Watson said:
Jeez – I received a cashier’s check from Banque Royale du Canada for $480,000 with instructions to deposit it. Ain’t happening.