Scam of the fake lawyer surges 549% and triggers alert

The fake lawyer’s coup has made more and more victims in Brazil. Criminals use information from legal proceedings and pose as lawyers to convince people to make bank transfers, usually under the promise of releasing damages or amounts of lawsuits.

A survey conducted by Santander points out that the number of customers who contested transactions after falling into this type of fraud increased 549% in July, compared to January 2026. The data also show that 85% of victims are over 40 years old.

São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais concentrate approximately 70% of the cases registered by the survey, highlighting the size of the problem and the need for attention to suspected contacts.

How does the fake lawyer scam work?

Criminals use a strategy known as social engineering, which consists of manipulating people to obtain confidential information or inducing them to make payments.

Initially, the scammers search for information about legal proceedings on public platforms, such as Jusbrasil. With this data, they create fake profiles using names, photographs and information from real lawyers.

They then contact the victims by phone or messaging apps, mainly by WhatsApp, informing that there is a value available for receipt as a result of a court decision.

To make the approach convincing, criminals can present counterfeit documents, tampered with court decisions, and even payment guides that appear to be official.

The fraud happens when the victim is convinced to make a transfer via Pix to allegedly release the money.

In certain situations, scammers also route links to fraudulent pages, used to capture personal and banking data.

Specialist alert on payment requests

According to Leandro Granja, director of Information Security (CISO) at Santander, the criminals exploit the expectation of the victims to receive values related to legal proceedings.

"The coup exploits public information on processes to address victims at a time when she believes she is about to receive an unexpected amount. Therefore, the sense of urgency and the promise of release from compensation prevent a more careful analysis of the situation," he explains.

The expert recommends immediately stopping any suspicious conversation and confirming the information directly with the lawyer responsible for the process.

Before making a transfer, it is also important to verify the identity of the professional by known channels, including by video call.

Criminals can fake phone numbers

Another strategy used in the fake lawyer scam is spoofing, a technique that allows you to mask the phone number displayed during a call.

With this, the criminal can make a call seem to have been made by a law firm or by another known contact of the victim.

Even when the number displayed on the screen seems reliable, the guidance is not to consider this identification as a guarantee of authenticity.

"If that happens, turn off the call and contact the number you already have, instead of returning the call to the number you just called," Granja says.

How to avoid falling for the fake lawyer

segurança digital experts recommend some measures to reduce the risk of financial losses:

Be wary of unexpected messages: contacts informing about indemnities, legal actions or benefits of the INSS must be confirmed directly with those responsible.

Do not make payments without checking: Pix orders or early fees to release court fees are warning signs.

Check the authenticity of the documents: court decisions, contracts and payment guides can be falsified.

Talk to your lawyer: Use official phones and channels you already know to confirm any information about the process.

Avoid clicking on suspicious links: fraudulent pages can steal passwords, documents, and bank information.

Don’t just trust the call number: criminals can mask the phone ID to look like legitimate contacts.

What to do if you fall for the coup?

Those who make a transfer after being deceived should immediately contact the financial institution, inform the suspected fraud and request the analysis of the possibility of recovery of the amounts.

In the case of transfers via Pix, it is possible to request the opening of the Special Return Mechanism (MED), a procedure intended for fraud situations. The recovery of money, however, is not guaranteed.

It is also important to register an occurrence bulletin, preserve conversations, proof of payment and numbers used by criminals.

The alert also applies to residents of Ponta Grossa and Campos Gerais, who must redouble their care when receiving messages from alleged lawyers requesting transfers for the release of judicial values.

The main recommendation is to confirm any information directly with the professional responsible for the process before providing personal data or making payments.

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