An Ontario lawyer informed us that he was contacted by a Zeng Chen looking to retain him to collect on a loan. While it quickly became apparent that it was the usual bad-cheque fraud attempt, what is different in this case is that the fraudster called the lawyer, rather than initiate contact by email. He… Read More »
Categories: Business Loan 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
Commercial debt collection scam using the names Andy Prior and Dental Sky Wholesaler
Sixten U.S. lawyers have notified us that they received an email from the purported Andy Prior of Dental Sky Wholesaler 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 scam lawyers will… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection FraudCopyright infringement scam using the names Lee Fong and Lee’s Pharmaceutical
An Ontario firm reported to us that they’ve been contacted by the purported Lee Fong of Lee’s Pharmaceutical with regards to retaining their services to collect on a copyright infringement. 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… Read More »
Categories: Intellectual Property Rights FraudCommercial debt collection scam using the names Edward Boyle, Mikio Takeuchi and Sojitz Aerospace Corp
A German firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Edward Boyle, on behalf of Mikio Takeuchi of Sojitz Aerospace Corp, 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 FraudCommercial debt collection scam using the name John Raimond
A North Carolina firm notified us that they received an email from the purported John Raimond 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 FraudSeparation agreement scam using the name Hachirou Hasfa
An Ontario firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Hachirou Hasfa looking to retain them with regards to a collecting overdue payments resulting from a separation agreement. This is a classic bad cheque scam that presents as legal matter requiring the assistance of a lawyer. In this scam lawyers will be… Read More »
Categories: Divorce Settlement FraudCommercial debt collection scam using the names Andrew John Parsons and Kirkby Computers
An Ontario firm notified us that they received an email from the purported Andrew John Parsons of Kirkby Computers 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… Read More »
Categories: Debt Collection FraudBreach of IP agreement scam using the names Yoshiko Tomoko and Shinchosa Publishing
A New York firm reported to us that they’ve been contacted by the purported Yoshiko Tomoko and Shinchosa Publishing with regards to retaining their services to collect on a breach of an IP agreement. This is a classic bad cheque scam that presents as legal matter requiring the assistance of a lawyer. In this scam… Read More »
Categories: Intellectual Property Rights Fraud