02/16/2010 - COUNTERFEIT CHECK SCHEMES TARGETING LAW FIRMS
We have received reports of counterfeit check schemes targeting local law firms. Scammers send e-mails to lawyers claiming to be overseas and seeking legal representation. The law firm receives a retainer agreement, invoices reflecting the amount owed, and a check payable to the law firm. In many cases, the check appears to be an Official Check. The firm is instructed to extract the retainer fee, and wire the remaining funds to banks in foreign countries such as Korea, China, Ireland, or Canada. By the time the check is determined to be counterfeit, the funds have already been wired overseas.
Law firms are advised to conduct as much due diligence as possible before engaging in transactions with parties who are handling their business solely via email, particularly parties claiming to reside overseas.
If you have any questions or encounter such a situation, please contact Joe Kleinberg, BPBT’s Security and Fraud Prevention Manager.
