In a troubling trend that’s gaining momentum, scammers are impersonating lawyers to prey on victims of cryptocurrency fraud. These fake legal professionals promise to recover lost funds but instead exploit victims a second time—stealing personal data, money, and peace of mind.

The Deceptive Tactics

These fraudsters often present themselves as representatives of fictitious law firms, claiming affiliations with government agencies or international regulatory bodies. Victims are lured in with promises of legal recovery, only to be manipulated into handing over sensitive information or making payments.

Common red flags include:

• Claims of being “authorized partners” with multiple government entities (a status that doesn’t exist for law firms).
• References to fake organizations like the “International Financial Trading Commission.”
• Detailed knowledge of previous wire transfers and scam details.
• Refusal to provide credentials, appear on camera, or conduct video meetings.

📱 How the Scam Unfolds

Victims may be added to encrypted group chats on platforms like WhatsApp, where they’re introduced to supposed foreign bank officials and attorneys. These chats often demand payments—sometimes in cryptocurrency or gift cards—to “verify identity” or “unlock funds.”

Other manipulative tactics include:

• Telling victims their funds are held in foreign accounts.
• Asking them to register with unfamiliar banks.
• Requesting payments to third-party companies under the guise of secrecy.

🛡️ Protecting Yourself

The FBI recommends a zero-trust approach when dealing with unsolicited legal offers. Here are key steps to stay safe:

• Be skeptical of unexpected outreach from law firms.
• Demand video verification and proof of licensing.
• Verify employment claims for anyone posing as a government official.
• Keep detailed records of all interactions.
• Request notarized identification before engaging further.

If you suspect you’ve encountered a fake lawyer scam, report it immediately to your local FBI field office or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

🧠 A Growing Threat to Legal Trust

Ilia Kolochenko, cybersecurity expert and CEO of ImmuniWeb, warns that some fraudsters now breach legitimate law firms to send emails from real domains—making their scams even harder to detect. In some cases, they recruit unwitting individuals to act as “support staff,” who unknowingly assist in the fraud.

This erosion of trust in legal communications could have long-term consequences, increasing the cost and complexity of legitimate legal proceedings.