Beware of Fake Law Firm Scams Offering to Recover Stolen Crypto Funds

Fraudsters are increasingly posing as lawyers or law firms to scam people who have already fallen victim to an earlier fraud. These fake lawyers claim they can help recover lost money, preying on individuals who are emotionally vulnerable and financially distressed, often targeting the elderly.

These scammers:

Pretend to be affiliated with government or regulatory bodies, including ones that don't even exist like the International Financial Trading Commission, or INTFTC for short
Use actual transaction details, such as dates and amounts to create a sense of legitimacy
Reference genuine financial institutions or use official-looking letterheads

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)’s latest advisory, here are some of the latest red flags to help detect fraudulent law firms:

Unauthorized affiliations: Watch for claims of partnership with US or foreign agencies. Keep in mind that law firms are never officially “authorized partners.”
Fabricated entities: Verify legitimacy when encountering references to obscure or unknown bodies such as the INTFTC.
Insider knowledge: Be suspicious of unsolicited contacts that already know your scam history or transaction details.
Avoiding verification: Scammers often refuse to meet on video or verify their identity.
Group chats as traps: Placing victims into WhatsApp or messaging group chats for secrecy is a common tactic to manipulate your trust.
Third-party payment requests: Requests to send money via a third party or to use cryptocurrency or prepaid gift cards are huge red flags.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

The FBI and IC3 emphasize vigilance and verification

Treat all unsolicited messages warily, even if they look official. Verify independently.
Demand video calls, credentials, or law license documents. Legitimate professionals should easily comply.
If someone claims they’re affiliated with law enforcement, call your local field office or independently verified number (not the one they provide).
Never pay upfront fees. No legitimate entity will ask for payment to help recover lost funds, especially via unusual mediums like gift cards or crypto wallets.
Report the attempt by visiting the IC3’s website and file a complaint with all relevant details.

How Bitdefender Helps You Safeguard Against Fake Lawyer Scams

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