A businesswoman claims to have suffered a loss of R$163,000 after falling for a fake lawyer scam in Praia Grande, on the coast of São Paulo. The criminals misused the name, photo and professional details of lawyer Richarlla Lopes Lozada, who is also the victim's sister.
According to the São Paulo Public Security Secretariat (SSP-SP), the case was registered via the internet by the 57-year-old victim. The incident was forwarded to the 3rd Police District of Praia Grande for investigation.
Through WhatsApp, the scammers contacted the victim on October 23rd. They presented truthful information about a legal case, including the number, parties involved and value of the case.
To g1, Richarlla explained that the criminals informed that a hearing had been scheduled via videoconference and claimed that, by court order, third parties would not be allowed to participate.
To make the scam more convincing, the criminals sent a document with a falsified letterhead from the Judiciary, containing personal data of the victim and the lawyer.
During a video call via WhatsApp, a person introduced himself as a prosecutor, using a profile photo with the visual identity of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), simulating official communication.
According to Richarlla, the victim was instructed to use another cell phone to carry out banking procedures and pay a supposed fee to avoid problems with the Federal Revenue and not fall into the trap. The criminals' justification was that there were judicial values to be released.
"The manipulation was so intense that she even believed that the criminal's voice was mine. Even though she was my sister, had frequent contact with me and knew my professional activities, she was involved in a way that she was unable to perceive the scam", highlighted Richarlla.
Believing she was complying with the instructions of her sister and a supposed prosecutor, the victim carried out several banking operations. According to Richarlla, the loss of R$163,000 not only corresponds to the money the businesswoman had, but also to loan amounts.
The victim became suspicious when the criminals tried to access the credit card. She asked an employee to contact Richarlla, who immediately instructed her sister to end contact with the scammers and file a police report (BO).
"He ended up losing his savings and taking on debts resulting from the fraud. In addition to the financial loss, there is a huge emotional shock, because criminals exploit precisely the trust that the victim places in someone close to them", lamented Richarlla.
The lawyer highlighted that it is necessary to guide the population and demand that financial institutions constantly improve security systems. "The technology used by criminals is increasingly sophisticated, and protection mechanisms need to keep up with this evolution."
Richarlla added that there are already scams involving falsification of caller identification, professional data of lawyers and even reproduction of voices using artificial intelligence. Therefore, it is not enough to recognize someone's photo, name or even voice.
"It is essential to confirm the authenticity of the contact using a telephone number that you already know and regularly use to speak to your lawyer [...] Be wary of any unexpected financial request, especially when accompanied by urgency, threats or pressure."
The lawyer's advice is not to waste time. "It is essential to immediately contact financial institutions, formally report the fraud and dispute the operations carried out."
It is also necessary to block compromised access, change passwords, report any fraudulent loans, register a police report and formalize all administrative complaints with banks, preserving protocol numbers.
It is important to keep proof of transfers, conversations, telephone numbers, documents sent by criminals and all records that can assist in the investigation.
If the situation is not resolved, the consumer should seek guidance to evaluate the filing of appropriate legal measures, including to discuss the validity of loans made in the context of fraud and possible liability of financial institutions.
