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
Commercial equipment purchase scam using the name Chris Hammet (or Newton Jim)
[Updated July 2014] A dozen U.S. firms have notified us that they received an email from the purported Chris Hammet (or Newton Jim) looking to retain them with regards to making a large commercial purchase. This is a bad cheque scam that presents as legal matter requiring the assistance of a lawyer. In this scam… Read More »
Categories: Equipment / Inventory Purchase Fraud, Fraud WarningsCommercial debt collection scam using the names Fredrik Naslund (or Kevin Thompson) and Capio AB
A dozen firms in the U.S. have notified us that they received an email from the purported Fredrik Naslund (or Kevin Thompson) of Capio AB 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… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection Fraud, Fraud WarningsCommercial debt collection scam using the name Ik Inabata
A New York firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Ik Inabata 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… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection Fraud, Fraud WarningsFrom TitlePLUS Today: Real estate transactions involving powers of attorney
How can real estate lawyers service clients and be alert for possible fraudulent powers of attorney? In Ontario, the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Guidelines on Powers of Attorney in Real Estate Transactions (the “Guidelines”) are intended to assist lawyers when dealing with powers of attorney in real estate transactions. The following is a short… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Warnings, Real Estate FraudCommercial debt collection scam using the names Nathan Laxton and Assa Abloy Ltd
An Ontario firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Nathan Laxton of Assa Abloy Ltdlooking 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… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection Fraud, Fraud WarningsCommercial debt collection scam using the names Donna Wellington and RDO Equipment
Four lawyers in Canada and the U.S. notified us that they received an email from the purported Donna Wellington of RDO Equipment 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… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection Fraud, Fraud WarningsCommercial debt collection scam using the names Jim Berdzik (or Alvey Stevenson) and John Reid & Sons Ltd
Two Ontario firms notified us that they received an email from the purported Jim Berdzik (or Alvey Stevenson) of John Reid & Sons 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… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection Fraud, Fraud WarningsCommercial debt collection scam using the names Kazuo Yoshimoto (or Yeung Li or Wen Ch’en) and Tsuda Chemical Company
A California firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Kazuo Yoshimoto (or Yeung Li or Wen Ch’en) of Tsuda Chemical Company 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… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection Fraud, Fraud Warnings