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Lawyer 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.

Report a Fraud


Browse Fraud Categories

Recent Fraud Warnings


Commercial equipment purchase scam using the names Collin Reals and Humber Work Boats

A Texas firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Collin Reals of Humber Work Boats 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… Read More »

Categories: Equipment / Inventory Purchase Fraud

Commercial equipment purchase scam using the names Tai Song and China Dredging Group

A California firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Tai Song of China Dredging Group 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… Read More »

Categories: Equipment / Inventory Purchase Fraud


Commercial equipment purchase scam using the names Liam Ariel and Qingzhou Yongsheng Dredging Machinery Co

Two Ontario firms notified us that they received an email from the purported Liam Ariel of Qingzhou Yongsheng Dredging Machinery Co 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… Read More »

Categories: Equipment / Inventory Purchase Fraud

Breach of IP agreement scam using the names Akihisa Mizuno and Chubu Electric Power Co

Two Illinois firms reported to us that they’ve been contacted by the purported Akihisa Mizuno of Chubu Electric Power Co regards to retaining their services to collect on a breach of a copyright 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: Intellectual Property Rights Fraud

Commercial equipment purchase scam using the names Markku Kajosaari and Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc

A Washington state firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Markku Kajosaari of Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc 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… Read More »

Categories: Equipment / Inventory Purchase Fraud

Breach of IP agreement scam using the names Ryusaburo Sugimoto and Hakuto Co

An Ontario firm reported to us that they’ve been contacted by the purported Ryusaburo Sugimoto of Hakuto Cowith regards to retaining their services to collect on a breach of a copyright agreement. This appears to be a bad cheque scam that presents as legal matter requiring the assistance of a lawyer. In this scam lawyers… Read More »

Categories: Intellectual Property Rights Fraud

Land Acknowledgement

The offices of LAWPRO are located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. LAWPRO respects and acknowledges the histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit nations.

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