Friday, October 6, 2023

Attorney E Mails and How To Avoid Getting Scammed


After maintaining this blog for over fourteen years the most common question posted in the comments is, "what’s the scam?" In today's digital age, a very simple, tried and tested way to scam the legal profession (and their staff) is a phishing scam. Attorneys and law firms have become prime targets for these phishing scams. In this blog post, I will explain how attorneys often fall victim to phishing scams and what steps they can take to protect themselves and their clients.

 

Understanding Phishing:

 

Phishing is a deceptive technique employed by cybercriminals to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal identification details. These scams usually come in the form of seemingly legitimate emails, messages, or websites that mimic trusted entities or individuals. In the case of attorney email scams, the trick is to get the attorney to deposit a large settlement check into their IOLTA. Shortly after getting hired (sometimes before any substantial work can be done, but usually no more than a demand letter goes out), the opposing party reaches out and says they will settle and that they are sending in settlement. Lawyer gets the check and tells the new client. Hooray!

 

Unsuspecting lawyer deposits the check in IOLTA. The Phisher tells the lawyer to send him a check, less the attorneys fees. Sometime later (2-3 weeks), the banks catch up, realize the settlement cashier’s check is fraudulent, and place a negative balance on the account. But the lawyers check has already been cashed and the Phisher has disappeared. FBI and other law enforcement agencies will not do much. Actually, we have never heard of law enforcement doing anything other than take a report. 

 

Why Attorneys Are Vulnerable:

 

Trusting Nature: Attorneys often receive a high volume of emails and communication from clients, colleagues, and opposing parties. Their work relies heavily on responding promptly to messages, making it easier for phishing emails to slip through the cracks.

 

Lawyers Want Clients: The potential client looks well funded and the issue is within their practice area.

 

Busy Schedules: The demanding nature of legal work often leads attorneys to multitask, which can reduce their vigilance when scrutinizing emails and messages.

 

Common Phishing Scenarios for Attorneys:

 

Impersonation of Potential Clients: Cybercriminals will impersonate clients, sending emails that appear genuine, and request to start a case.


Common terms and style: They often will say, “in your jurisdiction” and other turns of phrase that allow them to reuse the letter as a template and the name and address of the company is often times in a different font.

 

Real Businesses and Websites: They often use local businesses (in your jurisdiction) and they often have their own, fairly legit looking website.


No Retainer: I have rarely seen a retainer check sent before the other side "settles." When they do, it is a cashiers check that will eventually bounce. See more on that below. 

 

Protecting Attorneys from Phishing Scams:

 

Verify Email Sources: Always double-check the sender's email address and be cautious of any discrepancies or unusual requests, especially those related to money transfers.

 

Employee Training: Law firms should invest in cybersecurity training programs to educate their staff about phishing risks and best practices for identifying and mitigating such threats. Most IT programs provide this training for this type of scam for free.

 

Beware of Urgency: Always take a moment to pause and verify any urgent or high-pressure email requests, especially those related to financial transactions or confidential data. Once you wire funds, you can never get them back. 

 

Google Emails: Almost everyone that ends up at this blog had the good sense to google a portion of the email when their "spidey senses" started going off. They found themselves here. Do some sleuthing before taking on clients.

 

Look at Patterns: A majority of the phishing emails look like the ones you see here. But often times they include contracts and other information lending it credibility. Gone are the days of being able to spot scammers with bad grammar and spelling errors.

 

MOST IMPORTANT

Never Send Money That Has Not Cleared: We are taught that cashiers checks are as good as cash. We are not taught that it is easy to create fraudulent cashiers checks and the banks will not catch this when they are initially deposited. Make sure that your bank has confirmed the check has cleared, preferably in writing before refunding money.

 

Add to the conversation: If you got sent a variation of one of these scams, add it to the comments. That is how we stop these creeps and protect each other.

 

Conclusion:

It's crucial for legal professionals to remain vigilant and adopt cybersecurity measures to protect themselves from falling victim to these scams. By staying informed, educating staff, and being diligent, attorneys can continue to navigate the digital landscape.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Trex Orange County has Label for Days

 Hello You Handsome Fellow,


I apologize for the little delay in responding to your email as I have been travelling in Mexico and thank you for your response.

I can put a call through later today or any time at your convenience if you will be available ?
 
My Company is currently in contract with a company known as ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC  and as such have a valid agreement contract for the production of scanning chips and codes to be used for packaging and shipping of all sorts of general supplies and merchandise to customers in the US. These chips and codes are embedded and preloaded with our proprietary software codes in Spanish but equipped with a language translator (Spanish to English) and are shipped to ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC  at their ground 301 W Dyer Rd # D, Santa Ana, CA 92707
 
As our business thrived with ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC   and seeing the need to cater to a higher demand of our scanning chips and codes, we opted to embed them with an English version of our proprietary software codes to avoid both the delays that could arise from translation as well as inefficiencies there from. This triggered the signing of a Copyright License Agreement with ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC   that protects our intellectual property from being duplicated since all our codes had been simplified and provided in English.
 
Sometime in July 2019 as part of a routine facility inspection tour by our Auditors to a facility owned by ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC . it was discovered that they had commenced production of replica scanning chips and codes without informing us or getting our authorization. They had also commenced distribution of their version of our scanning chips and codes in complete violation of our existing agreement.
 
Upon discovery of this and a further probe it was discovered that ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC  had produced roughly Two Million (2,000,000) replicas of our scanning chips and codes and had already sold Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand (450,000) of them. A team from our office in Mexico notified ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC  of our discovery and intimated them of our disappointment in their actions. ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC  admitted to their wrong doings as well as it amounting to a violation of the terms of our agreement and offered Fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds from the unauthorized production, we rejected their offer and requested Eighty percent (80%). Eventually after lengthy discussions and negotiations we resolved that ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC  would remit Fifty Eight percent (58%) of the proceeds from the unauthorized production amounting to Two Million Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars Only.  ($ 2,950,000.00) and said amount would be payable by the end of October 2019. We both signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect. Unfortunately, there has been one excuse or the other from ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC  since the deadline lapsed and we have not received any payment from them. On several occasions they have initiated conversations in regards remitting said funds to us in tranches but have failed to honour their word.
 
Despite this there is still a business relationship between our Company and ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC  and I wish to maintain the same but the pending issue outstanding settlement needs to be looked into. I would appreciate it if you can inform, educate and guide through a peaceful process of receiving our settlement. We need your brilliant Oregon Cannabis Law Firm for the job.
 
My expectation of your services for now will be within the scenario of a Demand letter to ORANGE COUNTY LABEL CO INC  on our behalf.

I believe that this approach will trigger a much-needed response/action from them in regards to an amicable settlement of the matter as well as remittance of what is due to my Company. Please note that if need be and there is no other way to pursue this and you feel from your legal perspective that litigation is the only way forward, I am not opposed to this but I would rather this as a last resort.
 
Kindly let me know what you would need to proceed. I am aware that you might charge a retainer for your services if you are interested in taking on this case, please let me know what your retainer fees would amount to as well as any other requirements/dynamics that need to be fulfilled
 
I look forward to hearing from you.

JOSE FRANCISCO || CEO || +52 5633121729
ZOHO SOFTWARE SA DE CV
Ocorvalab logo red
Dr. José Ma Bandera 413Doctores, 
42090 Pachuca de Soto, Hgo., Mexico

Monday, September 11, 2023

Can you hear the drums Fernando?

 


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Garcia Fernando <gafernando110@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Sep 9, 2023 at 5:11 AM
Subject: Brife summary of the loan.



Dear [Rock Star of a Lawyer],

Please find attached .

In September 2019 John Williams came to me seeking financial assistance as he
was about to go into the construction business and with the constant
insistence of my late wife (John 's Sister) to assist him, i had to
oblige him with the loan.

The following year 2020 John  made a payment of $76,000. In November
2020 Marie was involved in an accident and did not make it. After the
death of Marie I noticed that John became very distant. It also become
very difficult to get him to keep up with his repayment promises.

After much back and forth, he made another payment of $29,000 in July
2021. Soon after i suffered from a stroke which kept me in hospital
for a long time and i was out of communication. But as soon as i was a
little better i contacted John again and asked for my money. He has
since been promising to get the balance to me but hasn't. I believe
because he knows of my condition that's why he's taking advantage of
me.
That is why i need you to represent me in the US because i know
this will make
him take me more serious and begin to pay back what he owes me.


Thanks
Garcia Fernando




On 9/8/23, Scheliah Mayson <shay@cultivalaw.com> wrote:
> Mr. Fernando,
>
Response email
>

>
> On Fri, Sep 8, 2023 at 10:17 AM Garcia Fernando <gafernando110@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Dear Overqualified and Unnaturally Good Looking Seattle Cannabis Lawyer
>> How are you doing today? I am very sorry for the delay in reply, it is
>> due
>> to my failing health. Please find attached the agreement we had which
>> should explain the terms of the loan.
>>
>> I reside in Mexico while the debtor, John Williams resides in Seattle,
>> Washington, USA. I lent him $1,060,000.00 and he has paid back
>> $105,000.00
>> the balance is $955,000.00.
>>
>> Please, I want to know how much it's going to cost me to retain your
>> services (your legal cost) . I really need the assistance of your firm
>> now.
>> I have lost a lot in the past two years, and owe the bank so much money.
>>
>> Hope to hear from you soon.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Mr. Garcia Fernando.
>>

Sunday, March 26, 2023

The Art-huro of Noise

ARTHURO GUTIÉRREZ

11:28 AM (4 hours ago)
to me
Thanks for your response to my email and apologies for my late response. I could give you a call by next week if that works for you.

My Company is currently in contract with a company known as TECHLIANCE and as such have a valid agreement contract for the production of scanning chips and codes to be used for packaging and shipping of all sorts of general supplies and merchandise to customers in the US. These chips and codes are embedded and preloaded with our proprietary software codes in Spanish but equipped with a language translator (Spanish to English) and are shipped to TECHLIANCE at their ground office 12884 South, Frontrunner Blvd Suite 140, Draper, UT 84020, United States.
 
As our business thrived with TECHLIANCE and seeing the need to cater to a higher demand of our scanning chips and codes, we decided to embed them with an English version of our proprietary software codes to avoid both the delays that could arise from translation as well as inefficiencies there from. This triggered the signing of a Copyright License Agreement with TECHLIANCE that protects our intellectual property from being duplicated since all our codes have been simplified and provided in English.  
 
Sometime in July 2019 as part of a routine facility inspection tour by our Auditors to a facility owned by TECHLIANCE it was discovered that they had commenced production of replica scanning chips and codes without informing us or getting our authorization. They had also commenced distribution of their version of our scanning chips and codes in complete violation of our existing agreement.  
 
Upon discovery of this and a further probe it was discovered that TECHLIANCE had produced roughly Two Million (2,000,000) replicas of our scanning chips and codes and had already sold Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand (450,000) of them. A team from our office in Mexico notified TECHLIANCE of our discovery and intimated them of our disappointment in their actions. TECHLIANCE admitted to their wrong doings as well as it amounting to a violation of the terms of our agreement and offered Fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds from the unauthorized production, we rejected their offer and requested Eighty percent (80%). Eventually after lengthy discussions and negotiations we resolved that TECHLIANCE would remit Sixty Eight percent (68%) of the proceeds from the unauthorized production amounting to Three Million Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars Only. ($ 3,950,000.00) and said amount would be payable by the end of March 2019. We both signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect. Unfortunately, there has been one excuse or the other from TECHLIANCE.
I reached out to Attorney Lawrence L Barber in Odessa and he prepared a demand letter which made them wire $540,000 to him as a sign of good fate in Sept 2019, He did died few months later after contacting Covid 19 during a pre trial hearing.May his soul rest in peace.
I got to know from him matter of jurisdiction by a california cannabis lawyer doesn't come to play until we go to court which we are not looking at at this time. I will attach the transfer slip,MOU and the contract in the documentation so as to know the exact information.
Since he died, we have not received any payment from them. On several occasions they have initiated conversations in regards remitting funds to us in tranches but have failed to honour this.  
 
Despite all this,We still have a business relationship between our Company and TECHLIANCE and I wish to maintain the same but the pending issue of outstanding settlement needs to be looked into. I would appreciate it if you can inform, educate and guide through a peaceful process of this.  
 
My expectation of your services for now will be within the confines of a Demand letter to TECHLIANCE on our behalf and probably negotiation if deem neccessary.
 
I believe that this approach will trigger a much-needed response from them in regards to an amicable settlement of the matter as well as remittance of what is due to us. Please note that if need be and there is no other way to pursue this and you feel from your legal perspective that litigation is the only way forward, I am not opposed to this but I would rather this be as a last resort.  
 
Kindly let me know what you would need to proceed. I am aware that you might charge a retainer for your services if you are interested in taking on this case, please let me know what your retainer fees would amount to as well as any other requirements that need to be fulfilled.I expect your retainer fees to be reassonable as our first step is a demand letter and further negotiation for now .i will also be willing to negotiate between 2% to 4% with you if your intervention resolves this without the courts.
I will be looking for to hear back from you .
Thank you.
--
ARTHURO GUTIÉRREZ
Vice President
94 JoaquÃ-n GalloSanta Fe, Zedec Sta Fé,
01376 Ciudad de México,
CDMX, Mexico
+52 744 362 0054
info.surtecrealty@tech-center.com
info.surtecrealty@gmail.com

Monday, March 20, 2023

Losing Mai Religion

 


MAI HIROGUSHI

AttachmentsWed, Mar 15, 5:17 PM (5 days ago)
to me

Hello Smashing Young Person,


Thank you for the quick response to my inquiry. I am open to calling you momentarily at your office hours. In the meantime, I am enclosing the loan agreement between myself and a friend of mine, Lewis Becker, who initially resided in New York,  before moving to your area of practice.

On the 20th of February 2020, I had invested the sum of $500,000 in Lewis’s business with the agreement to receive profit. He told me this loan was obtained to advance his business expansion which is called (The Palm.) 5518 Northeast 19th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211.

New Mailing address for 

Unsuspecting Local Company

 

This loan agreement has provisions for installment payment plan (principal plus interest) in the amount of $150,000 quarterly after one year anniversary. So far, I have only received one payment of $150,000 on March 1, 2021. 

 

Since then, I have tried so many efforts to collect the funds to no avail; I think my failure to collect could be blamed on my reluctance to involve myself in legal proceedings. Hence the reason I'm engaging your law firm.

 

I recently emailed him that I would be seeking legal representation to which his response could be seen below. I did not respond back.

 

I look forward to your representation in this matter. Kindly let me know what your retainer fee would be and your overall legal costs.


Regards,


Mai Hirogushi, CPA

Mai Fiduciary Services

Tel: +1-305-429-0495

841 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10003.

 


---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Lewis Becker <lewisbeckerjr@usa.com>

Date: Tue, Jul 12, 2022 at 10:35 PM

Subject: Partial Payment - Promissory Note

 

Hello Mai,

 

I am really sorry about the delay. I do know how you are feeling now, I'm ashamed of the situation.  I do intend to pay you the amount I borrowed from you, believe me. I have been trying to call you to no avail. I am not sure whether you're ignoring my calls. In your last email you mentioned you will involve a legal representation. I'm quite disappointed that you will result in this despite our long friendship. It is my belief that we can resolve this matter without legal proceedings.


I do have an investment that I'm expecting to cash out from in the next few days, which will result in partial payment of $150,000. I am hoping that this would satisfy you enough to withdraw your intention to result in legal proceedings.


As a friend, I would like to sincerely apologize for defaulting on our agreement. My situation has been critical and I'm just trying to pull out of this mess.


I will get back to you soon.

 

Sincerely,

Lewis Becker


Sent from my iPhone

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Stephen of Fertile Lands

 

Stephen Quesada stephenquesada60@gmail.com

AttachmentsTue, Jan 24, 3:36 AM (2 days ago)
to me
Hi [The Most Interesting Lawyer in the World]

I really appreciate your timely response.

I am purchasing a used excavator in [Your State], I need your firm to provide trust or escrow service for the purchase.

Total cost for the excavator is $640,000.00 all funds in USD.

Attached is a copy of the purchase agreement and sales purchase instructions for your perusal.

Kindly go through it properly. Your escrow service charge is okay with me,

You can refer me should you be unavailable for the job.
 
Kindly add up all charges and send an engagement letter after once the agreement finds you well.

I can be reached at 786-664-7719

Your timely response will be highly appreciated.

Thank you.

Monday, December 12, 2022

Hey Joe, Where you going with that Phish in your hand?

Joe Walters joe.walters@broztradingllc.com


Dear Charming & Brilliant Counselor 

Thanks for your swift response.
 
I made a business trip to CASE IH construction equipment dealer situated at 1450 Doolittle Dr, San Leandro, CA 94577  in which a contract transaction took place directed by the company for 1 piece of Wheel Loader which cost $259,700.00. A deposit of $198,750.00 was made and confirmed by CASE IH represetative and they confirmed the Wheel Loader was available and that they could be delivered to my preferred location in 7 days from when I had done my inspection and signed the agreement.
 
 
We agreed on a purchase price and I went on to make the security deposit that was asked for by CASE IH, Area Sales Representative. He confirmed receipt of the Deposit and said he would get back to me with the date I could come in for inspection and also sign the agreement. They wrote me an email some days later saying the equipment was no longer available due to some components needed for assembly that were not in stock and promised to make a refund within 10 working days which we have not received a dime till date.
 
 
This is why I am contacting you on what advice and strategies is best to fix this? I believe I might not get the refund unless an attorney intervene, but on the other hand I feel the first step I want you to take is sending a demand letter to Mr. Ben Osborne because I have hard it enough with contacting him, I want to take this out of my hands now and get you involved and am ready to give your firm between $5000 and 5% of the refund depending on the amount of effort made. It is possible you are able to recover the money back with the demand letter, but if it eventually comes to filing a lawsuit then you can tell me what % you are willing to take.
 
 
Do let me know if this is something you can handle for me and also let me know the next step in moving forward.
 
 
Find attached history I have regarding this transaction- Email Correspondence, Payments receipt, Invoice-Purchase agreement, I have with the company.
 
 
Thank you.
 
Joe Walters
Procurement Manager
Broz Equipment, Inc.
2163 N.w 36 St,
Miami, FL 33142

(786)-998-7876