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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 debt collection scam by Jose Hermida of Alliance Machining Technologies (or Lindmark Machining Technologies)

A lawyer in Ontario and one in New York have notified us that they have received an email from the purported Jose Hermida of Alliance Machining Technologies (or Lindmark Machining Technologies) with regards to a commercial debt collection scam. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud Page…. Read More »

Categories: Debt Collection Fraud

Spring clean your practice!

We had flurries last night here in Ontario – but we’re not fooled: spring is around the corner. Time to roll up the slush mats and slide in the bug screens.  We challenge you, in the next month or two, to bring a little of the spirit of spring cleaning to your legal practice. What… Read More »

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Commercial debt collection scam by Ichiro Itoh

A Toronto lawyer has notified us that they have received an email with regards to a commercial debt collection scam. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud Page. For an explanation of how this fraud works see our Fraud Fact Sheet. Here is the initial email: From: Ichiro Itoh Subject:… Read More »

Categories: Debt Collection Fraud

Business debt collection scam by Derick Abrams

Two Ontario lawyers notified us that they’ve received an email from the purported Derick Abrams 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 to see other names attached to it,… Read More »

Categories: Debt Collection Fraud

Separation agreement scam by Sharon Marcel

An Ontario lawyer notified us that they’ve been contacted by the purported Sharon Marcel with regards to a to a collaborative family law agreement dispute. This is a fraud we have seen before under several other names and similar scenarios. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud… Read More »

Categories: Divorce Settlement Fraud

Commercial debt collection scam by Al Fournier (or Micheal/Michael Jones) of Bjordal IndustrierAS

A New York lawyer has notified us that they have received an email from the purported Al Fournier (or Micheal Jones) of Bjordal IndustrierAS 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 how this fraud works… Read More »

Categories: Debt Collection Fraud

Separation agreement scam by Cynthia Woichun

An Ontario lawyer notified us that they’ve been contacted by the purported Sapphire Nikkori with regards to a to a collaborative family law agreement dispute. This is a fraud we have seen before under several other names and similar scenarios. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud… Read More »

Categories: Divorce Settlement 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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