Scam operators take aim at VI law firms
In the most recent scam, an email purporting to be from a Japanese client and claiming to be the ex-spouse of a VI resident requests that the local law firm act on his/her behalf to recover funds from the resident as part of a divorce settlement.
The email sender explains that the legal fees will be settled with a banker’s draft upon completion of certain legal documentation and requests that, once the draft is received, the fees are be deducted from the draft monies and the balance sent back to the client.
The banker’s draft appears to be genuine and while it may be accepted by the bank upon initial deposit, it is later determined to be fraudulent. By that time, the law firm’s funds are used to reimburse the client and defrauded of these funds.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force in collaboration with the FIA is advising local law firms to be on the lookout for this scam and to conduct the necessary research online to learn more about scams such as these.
Any firm receiving a bank draft following receipt of such an email is advised to wait for official clearance of the draft before proceeding to reimburse any funds. Persons are also advised to seek advice by calling the Financial Investigation Agency at 494-1339 or the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Financial Investigation Unit at 494-3822 ext. 5450.
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