About FraudInfo
Fraud continues to be a significant and costly problem for LAWPRO.
Fraudsters are successfully duping lawyers and law clerks, and it’s not
just real estate lawyers who are being targeted. Litigation, business, IP and family law lawyers are frequent targets of bad cheque scams involving debt collections, business loans, licensing disputes, and spousal support payments.
Don’t be complacent and think you would never be fooled. These frauds
are very sophisticated. The matters will look legitimate, the fraudsters will be very convincing and the client ID and other documents you get will look real. The fake cheques have fooled bank tellers and branch managers. There may even be two or more people collaborating on both sides of a transaction to make the scenario more convincing.
FraudInfo's Posts
Divorce settlement scam using the names Sara and Shaun Wong
A couple of Ontario lawyers have notified us that they received an email from the purported Sara Wong looking to retain them with regards to a collecting overdue payments resulting from a separation agreement. This appears to be a bad cheque scam that presents as legal matter requiring the assistance of a lawyer. In this… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Warnings, Divorce Settlement FraudNew variation of the bad cheque email scam referring to “Greenville Offshore Bank” in Toronto
An Ontario lawyer forwarded us what appears to be a new variation of the old bad cheque scam in which a lawyer is contacted from a client overseas to collect on a debt, divorce settlement or facilitate a large equipment purchase (see our full list of these emails here). In this version the clients claim… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionEquipment purchase scam using the name Robert Gibbs and Robert Gibbs Surgical Equipment
Two Ontario lawyers have notified us that they received an email from the purported Robert Gibbs of Robert Gibbs Surgical Equipment, looking to retain them with regards to making a large commercial purchase. This appears to be a bad cheque scam (with a real company likely being impersonated) that presents as legal matter requiring the… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Warnings, Equipment / Inventory Purchase FraudEquipment purchase scam using the name John Ethan Medical Equipment
Two Ontario lawyers have notified us that they received an email from the purported John Ethan of John Ethan Medical Equipment, looking to retain them with regards to making a large commercial purchase. This appears to be a bad cheque scam (with a real company likely being impersonated) that presents as legal matter requiring the… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Warnings, Equipment / Inventory Purchase FraudEquipment purchase scam using the name Lei Yu
Two Ontario lawyers have notified us that they received an email from the purported Lei Yu of Strong Financial Leasing Co., Ltd looking to retain them with regards to making a large commercial purchase. This appears to be a bad cheque scam (with a real company likely being impersonated) that presents as legal matter requiring… Read More »
Categories: Equipment / Inventory Purchase Fraud, Fraud WarningsEquipment purchase scam using the names Peter Seagrott and Palfingermarine B.V
A few Ontario lawyers have notified us that they received an email from the purported Peter Seagrott looking to retain them with regards to making a large commercial purchase (an oil rig). This appears to be a bad cheque scam (with a real company likely being impersonated) that presents as legal matter requiring the assistance… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Warnings, Equipment / Inventory Purchase FraudNew variation of bad cheque equipment purchase scams involving buying medical equipment
What is old is new again! We have learned that a new equipment purchase fraud involving medical equipment such as MRI machines has made its way to Ontario. The fraud, which has been reported earlier this year in the US, follows the classic Equipment / Inventory Purchase Fraud. The lawyer is contacted to help a… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Warnings, Equipment / Inventory Purchase FraudNow available for replay: LAWPRO CPD “Survival Tips to Prevent Fraud”
Fraudsters all over the world are targeting lawyers and law firms. Lawyers and law firms need real time tips to prevent frauds. In December 2021, LAWPRO and TLA’s program Avoiding the wire fraud nightmare – what you need to know to protect yourself and your clients introduced the latest wire scams against law firms and… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Prevention