Below is a sample of the most recent fraudulent email scams. You will also find a list of names associated to the various types of email scams which continue to be circulated to our members locally here.

You will note that these scams evolve, primarily by changing names and yet retain a common theme: they require access to your trust account. An excellent source of reference for confirmed frauds and fraudster names can be found at http://avoidaclaim.com/confirmed-frauds. We encourage members to refer to this site if they are presented by a possible scam.

Commercial Debt Collection Scam

One of our members notified us that they received an email from the purported Alvey Stevenson looking to retain them with regards to a commercial debt collection.

This is a classic bad cheque scam that presents a legal matter requiring the assistance of a lawyer. In this scam, lawyers might be duped into wiring real funds from their trust accounts after depositing a fake cheque received as payment from the debtor (who is part of the fraud).

Here is the initial email sent by the fraudster to the lawyer:

From: Alvey Stevenson [mailto:stpivt22@outlook.com] Sent: June 19, 2014 1:10 PM
To: Lawyer
Subject: Inquiry

Good Day…,

I want to inquire if your firm handles breach of contract cases. A referral will be welcomed if this is not your area of practice.

Regards
Alvey Stevenson.

________________________________________

Here is the lawyer’s response:

From: Lawyer
To: stpivt22@outlook.com
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:02:26 -0300
Subject: RE: Inquiry

Hello Ms Stevenson,

We most certainly would be able to assist in such a case. Could you provide me with a brief description , including party names, and I will then be able to determine (a) whether we have a conflict with any of the parties and (b) the appropriate individual to whom to refer the matter internally.

May I inquire how it is that you have contacted me?

Lawyer

______________________________________

Replying to the email brought this response:

From: Alvey Stevenson [mailto:stpivt22@outlook.com] Sent: June 19, 2014 1:53 PM
To: Lawyer
Subject: RE: Inquiry

Thanks for your response, I want to indulge your firm to represent us with regards to a contract case. Find below our debtors information for a conflict check, before we can schedule for a telephone conference.

Russel Metals Inc
11 Panther Pl, St John’s, NL A1N 5H4, Canada

We hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
Alvey Stevenson.
Shearline Steel Strip LTD.
Unit 3, Gibbons Industrial Park, Dudley Road,
Kingswinford, West Midlands, DY6 8XF.
T: +44 793 701 4296
F: +44 809 174 0930

If you have been targeted by any of these frauds, please forward any of the emails and supporting documents that you have received to insurance@lawsociety.nf.ca.