Two Ontario lawyers have just reported to us that they received the following message from the purported Lily Wang. This scam is very similar to other breach licence scams we have seen over the last several months. It is a setup to dupe a lawyer into wiring good funds from a trust account after depositing… Read More »
Categories: Intellectual Property Rights FraudLawyer Fraud — Don’t Be Fooled!
To help Ontario lawyers avoid malpractice claims, LAWPRO maintains a list of names used in frauds that target lawyers. These frauds masquerade as legitimate legal matters and they target lawyers in many areas of practice. They are usually built on the premise of the lawyer receiving a payment (e.g. a debt collection, a loan or equipment purchase), which comes in the form of a fake cheque or bank draft. The fraudster client then convinces the lawyer to disburse funds from his or her trust account. They can be very sophisticated and the documents provided can look like the documents you would get on a legitimate matter.
The Law Society of BC’s Lawyer Indemnity Fund also maintains a list of names associated with suspected frauds.
If you have been the target of a fraud, you are invited to report the details to us so that we may assist other lawyers avoid being victimized.
Have a fraud to report? See Report a Fraud.
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Recent Fraud Warnings
Debt collection scam by Karen Nelson
Lawyers in Illinois and Ontario have notified us that they’ve received an email from the purported Karen Nelson looking to retain them with regards to litigating a debt collection. This is similar to other frauds of this kind we have seen. For a full description of how this fraud works and to see other names… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection FraudBusiness loan fraud by Tom (or George or Jack or Scott) Prodromou
Over thirty lawyers in Canada and the U.S. have notified us that they’ve received an email from the purported Tom (or sometimes George or Jack) Prodromou looking to retain them with regards to a breach of a business loan agreement. This is similar to other frauds of this kind we have seen. For a full… Read More »
Categories: Business Loan FraudCommercial debt collection scam by Mr. Marsden (or Mr. Goling) of Alfa Construction Ltd
Over 60 Ontario lawyers have notified us that they’ve received an email from a “Mr Marsden” (or sometimes Mr. Goling) of Alfa Construction Ltd asking to retain their services. The address given looks to be a residential address in North York, ON, though a Google search of the company name finds a similar company entry… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection FraudCommercial debt collection scam by Leo Esaki or Lee Hang of Akita Patent Law Office
Over thirty lawyers in Ontario and the US have told us they’ve received emails from the purported Leo Esaki or Lee Hang of Akita Patent Law Office with regards to a commercial debt litigation scam. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud Page. For an explanation of… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection FraudBusiness debt collection scam by Patricia Zimmerman
Lawyers in Ontario and the US have notified us that they’ve received an email from the purported Patricia Zimmerman looking to retain them with regards to a breach of a business loan agreement. This is similar to other frauds of this kind we have seen. For a full description of how this fraud works and… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection FraudCollaborative family law agreement scam by Miyoko Kwema
Two Ontario lawyers have notified us that they have been contacted by the purported Miyoko Kwema with regards to a collaborative family law agreement dispute. This is a fraud we have seen before under several other names and similar scenarios. For details on how this fraud works and a full list of names attached to… Read More »
Categories: Divorce Settlement FraudDivorce settlement agreement scam by Theresa Hartman
Three Ontario lawyers have notified us that they have been contacted by the purported Theresa Hartman with regards to a collaborative family law agreement dispute. This is a fraud we have seen before under several other names and similar scenarios. For details on how this fraud works and a full list of names attached to… Read More »
Categories: Divorce Settlement Fraud