Fake lawyers' websites
Online : don’t rely on appearances
Fake lawyers’ websites look real, are well-designed and look polished. The so-called lawyers are courteous, polite and convincing. Some will even use the name of a person registered in the Directory of lawyers and invite you to check it. If in doubt, call the person back at the number listed in the Directory of lawyers or write to the e-mail address listed in the Directory (not the contact information the person gave you).
The fake lawyers and the administrators of fake lawyers’ websites use many other strategies to lend credibility to their operations :
- They are active on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
- In immigration law in particular, they use the official logos of the governments of Québec and Canada or other official organizations.
- They post positive testimonials on websites (e.g., user communities, blogs, Google) and social media platforms.
- They reply systematically to victim testimonials and warnings, are reassuring and respond that services are provided by qualified and competent people.
- They make people sign credible administrative documents.
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Fake lawyers and/or cases of identity theft of real lawyers : |
Name(s) used | Contact information | Other details |
« Me Jean-François Hudon» Usurps the identity of Jean-François Hudon, a Montreal Lawyer. |
The man uses the contact information of Mtre Jean-François Hudon, a Montreal Lawyer, including his law firm's logo. The fake lawyer uses the following phone numbers and email addresses: Phone Nos : Email adresses : jeanfrancoishudonmontreal@outlook.com |
Operating Mode : A man posing as Lawyer Jean-François Hudon claims to be selling farm machinery that has been subject to a seizure of personal property. He asks buyers to transfer 25% of the cost of the machinery to him by Interac transfer in advance. Documents used to legitimize activities:
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« David Jean-Louis » Usurps the identity of David Jean-Louis, a true Belgian lawyer. |
Use the contact information of the real David Jean-Louis, Belgium lawyer, except the phone number and email address. Phone : (450) 497-4986 Email : |
Operating mode : in connection with false advertisements offering purebred dogs on several sites in Quebec (advertiser's tel: (450) 235-0964). The potential buyer is advised to pay additional amounts up front. When the buyer refuses, he receives an email from the fake "David Jean-Louis" demanding payment and threatening to prosecute. In some cases, the fake "David Jean-Louis" calls to pressure the buyer to pay the amounts. Letter from the real lawyer David Jean-Louis confirming the usurpation of his professional identity. |
Fake lawyer's websites : |
Name(s) used | Contact information | Website(s) and other details |
MEHREZ LAW |
Address used : Other address used : Tel : (438) 500-4550 |
mehrezlaw.ca Facebook page : www.facebook.com/pg/MehrezLaw/ Usurps the identity of real lawyers (including Hazem Mehrez and Nicolas Aubin), none of whom practice at the addresses used by "Mehrez Law". |
LLOYD & HOLMES SOLICITORS LLP Other name(s) used: Peter LLOYD Peterson LLOYD Yvonne SMITH HOLMES |
Phone: +1 581 704 1804
Emails: |
www.lloydholmeslawfirm.com
(hosted in Russia)
Use of the name of a legitimate financial company :
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LLOYD & SHAKESPEARE |
Phone: +1 438 299 6770
Emails: |
www.lloydshakespearellp.com
Use of the name of a legitimate financial company :
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SHAKESPEARE LAW FIRM LLP Other name(s) used: Peter LLOYD Peterson LLOYD |
Address used: Emails: |
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procanadamigrate.com Other name(s) used : procanada.net |
Whatsapp +1 438 300 1537 Phone +1 514 613 5413 info@procanadamigrate.com |
www.procanadamigrate.com Facebook: procanadaofficiel |
IMMIGRATION LAW
If the person identifies himself or herself as a regulated immigration consultant member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), make sure that his or her contact information matches those appearing on the ICCRC registry. If in doubt, call the person back at the number on the ICCRC registry (not the one he or she gave you). The ICCRC has developed a web page on fraud prevention. As for lawyers, if the person claims to be a notary, make sure that he or she has a licence to practice as a notary by consulting the Roll of the Order of the Chambre des notaires du Québec. To verify if a person is a member in good standing of the Chambre des notaires, call the following number: 514 879-1793 or 1 800-263-1793 (toll-free). If the person mentions that he or she will represent you free of charge, make sure that this is really the case. The person should not ask you to pay more than the administrative fees necessary to process your application, as provided by the government concerned :
If a person asks for a donation or gift or offers to barter or volunteer for their services, they are not doing so for free. Other useful resource is the Government of Canada’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Internet, email and telephone scams help page, which reads: |
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HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
Write to:
infractions@barreaudemontreal.qc.ca