20 June 2024, by Bar Council Risk Management Committee
Circular 195/2024
Dated 5 July 2024
In May 2024, a law firm informed the Bar Council that there had been incidents of a scammer appropriating and misusing the name of their law firm. Victims of the scam called the law firm’s office to enquire about tenancy agreements that had purportedly been prepared by the firm, in which the victims had contracted to rent properties that were advertised on Facebook.
These tenants had contacted the property agent / scammer listing the rental property via WhatsApp, where they were instructed by the scammer to deposit sums for two months’ deposit, utility bills and a contractual fee. In return, they received their tenancy agreement and receipt of payment via WhatsApp. However, the tenants found that they were unable to view the rental property and one tenant even claimed that the property did not exist after conducting a site visit. Thereafter, the scammer avoided their calls and blocked the victims.
When the victims reached out to the law firm that purportedly prepared their tenancy agreement, the law firm stated that they had no records of ever having prepared the tenancy agreements. Furthermore, the name of the individual who prepared and signed the tenancy agreements did not correspond to any of the lawyers or staff members of the law firm and is not listed on the Malaysian Bar legal directory.
The affected parties have lodged police reports, and the law firm has made a notification to the Professional Indemnity Insurance (“PII”) Scheme Insurer.
Members are reminded to be constantly vigilant, and to notify to the PII Scheme Insurer and the Bar Council if you think you have become a victim of a scam, which could lead to a possible claim against your law firm in addition to these scammers tarnishing the reputation of the law firm’s legal services.
Notifications to the PII Scheme Insurer must be made within 60 days of awareness to:
Aon Insurance Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Level 10, Tower 3
Avenue 7 The Horizon, Bangsar South
No 8 Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-2773 7059
Email:
malaysianbar@aon.com
Should you have any enquiries, please contact the Bar Council Professional Indemnity & Risk Management Department by telephone at 03-2050 2001 or by email at
pirm@malaysianbar.org.my.
Note: The circular has been updated to reflect the current appointed insurance broker for the Scheme.