ILLEGAL USE OF OUR NAME
There are a number of illegal scams in operation where the Balogun Harold name and/or the names of our legal consultants/lawyers may be abused. The Balogun Harold name and sometimes the names of individual lawyers within our Firm may be used in various fraudulent scam emails, letters and phone calls. We have also been notified that WhatsApp messages are being sent which purport to attach an electronic contact card for one of our partners, and which invite the recipient to contact the partner to discuss a new transaction. Other fraudulent communications involving use of our name typically seek to identify a victim by suggesting that an inheritance or a job can be obtained by paying an upfront fee or that we require the services of an offshore trust or entity to move money offshore. Sometimes, a victim may receive an email wherein a demand for money is made in relation to non-existent claims. Sometimes, fake and unauthorised documentary requests referring to Balogun Harold and/or its lawyers are sent to a victim. These scams aim to get your money and/or your personal data to use the same in other illegal activities. They may not always request money or personal details on initial contact, but will often do so after you respond.
Popular themes include:
• Inheritances from overseas or unknown relatives or individuals with the same surname as the recipient
• Offers of security work/visa services related to employment in the Middle East
• Nanny visa clearances
• bogus review websites
• Fake barristers misusing our name regarding funds to be released from banks
• Contracts purporting to be drafted by us regarding Middle Eastern business sales
• Use of our Nigerian telephone numbers by fake credit consolidators
• Offers of internships after payment of an ‘administrative fee’
We wish to inform the general public that such messages were not sent by or on behalf of Balogun Harold, and such contact cards do not contain the genuine contact information for any legal consultant in our firm. Accordingly, you should delete those messages. If you are unsure about the origin of a message or other information purportedly originating from Balogun Harold, please call us on 07053949609.
Please note that the foregoing is not an exhaustive list of scams. New methods are being invented everyday and professional services firms are at a huge risk on account of the confidential nature of the work they do. You are advised to remain vigilant all the time.