On May 20, the State Bar received a call and an email from an attorney in McKinney about a scam email that he received on May 18. He also reported that there are posts from lawyers in California and Florida stating they have received identical inquiries and attachments.
The full scam email and attachments are below:
Thank you for your prompt response. Am living in Japan and Tomio Walton (ex-husband) lives in McKinney, Texas. Due to the time difference (+13hrs EST) it is a little bit difficult to determine the best time to call you. Following our divorce, we agreed under a negotiated settlement agreement which is incorporated, merged into and made part of the court decree for a onetime cash settlement of $557,000.00 USD for Family support (this includes child support, alimony and medical support). To his credit, he has paid me $208,000.00 USD from a total of $557,000.00 but still owing $349.000.00 USD and the due time for completion of payment is over. Thus, I request your legal counsel and representation to enforce the final judgment thereby compelling him to remit the balance owed to me. He is aware of my intention to seek legal actions. Attached is a copy of the separation agreement, and Final Judgment and I will be pleased to provide further information on this case on request. I desire to retain your law firm, please forward your firm’s retainer fee agreement so that we can proceed. Thank you and have a pleasant day.
Regards,
Rina Walton
Address: Fukuoka Sanwa Bldg. 3F, 3-19-21 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 810-0001
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
Attachment 3
Attorneys should be extra-vigilant for scams of this type. For detailed information on scams targeting attorneys, see this article by State Bar ethics attorney Ellen Pitluk, which previously ran in shorter form in the Texas Bar Journal.