Another email scam is circulating New Zealand, this time targeting lawyers.
The New Zealand Law Society is warning lawyers to beware of the scam, which involves payment of a fraudulent cheque for a "matrimonial settlement" into law-firm trust accounts.
Dunedin barrister Anita Chan said she had received the "very sophisticated and very genuine" appearing scam email several times.
It was first noticed in the country in mid-2010, and asks lawyers to act on a "client's" behalf in collection of settlement money from a "reluctant" ex-spouse.
Both parties always happen to be overseas, although one is allegedly normally resident in New Zealand.
Following an exchange of emails, the spouse finally agrees to pay and a cheque from a reputable foreign bank is received by the law firm.
The scam works when the lawyer transfers the debt amount, less their fee, overseas, only to find the cheque has bounced.
Ms Chan said she got as far as receiving a cheque and banking it in a solicitor's trust account when she first received the email.
However, she refused to transfer money to the "client" before the cheque had cleared and the scammer eventually ceased contact.
"There is no way of being able to tell it was a scam.
"The only thing which would save any lawyer would be by being vigilant about not paying out on money that has not cleared," she said.
The email correspondence was very thorough as it included a collaborative agreement signed by the "client" and "ex-spouse", and made reference to a retired United States lawyer who was supposedly working with the "client".
Law Society inspectorate manager John Munson said he knew of several firms which had lost money in the scam.
"Unfortunately, we've been contacted by some lawyers only after they have transferred money to the scammer.
"Our advice is that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Mr Munson said New Zealand lawyers should be very cautious when acting on behalf of foreign clients who make initial contact by email or letter.
"If lawyers have any doubts about the credentials or trustworthiness of someone who makes an approach from overseas, we strongly urge them to contact us," he said.
Otago branch president Alastair Logan, of Ross Dowling Marquet and Griffin, said he "was not aware" of any of the region's law firms losing money to the scam.
