Internet scam takes attorney by surprise No money no client no trust fund

Over seas client takes lawyer for a ride

Lawyer cashes bogus check, client splits with the money!

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The Law Offices of

Takenn, Takenn, and Howe P.C.

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Truth or Consequences New Mexico

February 17, 2010

El cliento

69 Lost In

Lost Province, China

Re:  Payout from your "EX"The bounced check on our trust account

Dear Client,

We received the money from your "EX" and have forwarded the amount collected, minus our modest $80,000 fees, on to you.  We don't mind if we do admit how hard we worked on the case and how fast we are getting your money to you!

You can cash the check in confidence since it was brought in as a certified check.

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The Law Offices of

Takenn, Takenn, and Howe P.C.
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Truth or Consequences New Mexico

February 17, 2010

El cliento
#69 Lost In
Lost Province, China

Re: The bounced check on our trust account

Dear Client,

This is a friendly reminder the certified funds we received on behalf of your “ex” were not as certified as we thought they were.    Please send back the money we sent you…

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The client is thrilled she will be getting a lump sum of money and all her attorney had to do was write one of those attorney letters!  Fast work. Fast money!  Time to do her hair!

Of course, his certified check is bogus.  That turns out to be the case even after you verify the check with his bank.  The extra you forwarded to his account is your loss.  Unfortunately, the bank makes you pay even though his check bounces!

You would think if most of us spot these kinds of scams an attorney would spot them more quickly.  Let's just say some attorneys are not as smart as you and I.  Or perhaps they figure no one is going to mess with them.  Not!

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The Law Offices of

Takenn, Takenn, and Howe P.C.
 ____________

Truth or Consequences New Mexico

March 17, 2010

El cliento
# 69 Lost in
Lost Province, China

Re: The bounced check on our trust account

Dear Client,

We have figured out you have comitted a fraud on this law firm.  Demand is hereby made upon you for the full return of the certified funds we sent representing our other client's money.  If you fail to return the money forthwith, we will call the FBI...

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In one of the most recent versions of the scam an attorney is contacted and asked to collect money for an ex-wife on "assignment" in a foreign country.  A demand letter is sent to the the "ex".  The spouse is shaking in his shoes after receiving a threatening letter from the unsuspecting attorney.  As the attorney grins from side to side about recovering the spouses money so quickly, he does not know he is about to be taken for a free ride.  As soon as the attorney gets a bank check from the ex-spouse, he quickly deducts his fees and sends the money on.

Of course, the check from the "ex" is bogus.  The funds sent from the attorney's trust account are good.  When the check bounces the attorney is in hot water!  The money in his trust account is not his own, and when the check bounces from the ex-spouse it means some client just got shorted money from the attorney trust account.  If the attorney does not cover the bounced check he is in violation of his ethics.  If he covers it up, either by over-billing his client or by failing to make good on the "ex spouse's" check, he could lose his license.
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The Law Offices of

Takenn, Takenn, and Howe P.C.
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Truth or Consequences New Mexico

Aril 15rh, 2010

El cliento
#69 Lost In
Lost Province, China

Re: The bounced check on our trust account

Dear Client,

Please, please, please return our client funds...we won't tell anyone...

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The FBI advises attorneys  "to conduct as much due diligence as possible before engaging in transactions with parties who are handling their business solely via e-mail, particularly those parties claiming to reside overseas".

Check fraud schemes and internet scammers will always be around.  Let's hope each of us is fortunate enough to avoid getting taken by the latest version.  You can bet some attorney's will be a lot more careful in how long they wait for checks to clear before advancing client fees...and claiming their own.