Watch out, would-be lawyers are striking: Counterfeiters lure companies into the trap!

The new scam: fraudsters pretend to be a reputable law firm

It sounds too good to be true - and it is. A new scam is currently sweeping through companies in Germany and could also target your business. The perpetrators have created a fake website for a Munich law firm that specializes in insolvency law. This website looks so genuine that it is difficult to distinguish it from a real law firm. But behind this professional façade is nothing more than a scam.

The perpetrators use this scam to lure companies into a trap. They offer supposedly bankrupt goods at bargain prices - from toilet paper to trucks, everything you can imagine. But after the order is placed, nothing happens. The goods never arrive, and the companies that fell for the offer are left holding the bag. But the damage goes even further, because in addition to the lost goods, the victims are often left with the frustration of the effort involved in catching the perpetrators.

The trick: professional, but dangerous

The fraud is particularly dangerous because the perpetrators are so professional. They not only falsify the law firm's websites, but also court confirmations from the insolvency administration. This gives the impression that everything is correct. So far, at least ten companies have fallen victim to this scam and the damage is estimated at up to 200,000 euros - and this could be just the beginning.

The perpetrators know how to build trust. Their emails and websites are so well made that it is almost impossible to distinguish them from genuine offers. Logistics companies and freight forwarders, who are often looking for such "bargains", are particularly affected. But no matter how tempting the offers may seem, caution is advised!

How to protect your company

The police and the companies concerned urgently advise you to be particularly vigilant with such offers. If you receive an offer that sounds too good to be true, you should check it twice. Check the website for authenticity, compare the e-mail address with the official address of the law firm and, if in doubt, call the law firm directly to make sure.

You should also use official sources such as the legal directory to verify the law firm. A quick phone call can often save a lot of hassle and expense. And remember: if the website disappears or a new one pops up, it's a sure sign that you're dealing with scammers.

The real scandal is the lack of prevention!

It's frightening how professionally these fraudsters operate. What really worries me is the fact that many companies fall for such scams. Why? Because they too often take the easy way out and fall for tempting offers. However, the reality is that the fraud market for businesses is not only growing, but becoming more sophisticated. The question is: what are companies doing to better protect themselves? A quick email and a website cannot protect everything. Deeper, systematic protection mechanisms are needed - and these will only come if companies consciously protect themselves against such risks. It's time for prevention in the corporate world to become as professional as fraud itself!