Mobile phone fraudsters target profession

Criminals involved in mobile telephone frauds involving millions of pounds of illicit profits and abuse of the VAT system may be targeting solicitors, warns David Middleton, Head of Investigation and Enforcement at the Office for the Supervision of SolicitorsSolicitors are being targeted because their banking arrangements can provide a secure means of transmission for the huge sums of money involved.

While the majority of solicitors who get involved are likely to do so unwittingly, the dangers are obvious.

Arrests and charges have already taken place.

The Office for the Supervision of Solicitors (OSS) has also in recent years adopted a pro-active policy towards the investigation of solicitors alleged to be involved in clients wrongdoing.

There are some clear warning signs and all solicitors should be vigilant.Solicitors are seldom asked to get involved in the actual sale of mobile telephones or even provide any substantive legal service, but they will be approached to act for the companies which ostensibly carry out the business.

These will usually be based in western Europe, including Eire, and there will be a web of associations connecting them.

The solicitor will be instructed to transmit funds, usually in round sums, from company A to company B and to make numerous and substantial payments to individuals who are alleged to be associated with the transactions.

Loans will supposedly be made to individuals or redeemed by others and investments made into luxury items and property.A recent development is the possible targeting of solicitors outside commercial centres, probably on the assumption that they are less experienced or aware of the risks.For additional information, contact the Law Societys professional ethics department, tel: 0870 606 2577.

Solicitors can also contact the fraud intelligence department at the OSS, tel: 020 7320 5703.