A troubling scam is spreading: fraudsters impersonate well-known law firms, sending fake “legal notices” from look-alike emails and WhatsApp accounts, accusing people of IP violations and pressuring them to pay. Here’s how firms fought back — and how to protect yourself.
The modus operandi
Scammers pose as partners or representatives of reputable firms. They send fake legal notices from email addresses that closely resemble legitimate ones, or via WhatsApp accounts using partners’ photos as display pictures. The message: you’ve violated their client’s IP rights, so pay up to avoid legal action. It’s extortion dressed as enforcement.
Firms fighting back — the John Doe orders
- Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. — scammers sent notices from a non-existent “Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co. Law Firm,” using phony emails and phone numbers and even forging the likeness and signature of founder Dr Shardul S. Shroff. In Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. v. John Doe & Ors, the Delhi High Court granted a John Doe order and temporary injunction against using the firm’s and its partner’s names.
- Anand & Anand — scammers used the firm’s trademark and trading name in fraudulent emails issuing unauthorised legal notices. In M/s Anand and Anand v. John Does & Ors, the Delhi High Court injuncted them from using the firm’s trademarks, logos or identifying elements.
- K&S Partners and Lall & Sethi have also been targeted, posting cautionary notices on their websites and social media disclaiming liability for fraudulent emails.
Why it’s growing
As IP becomes more prevalent online, so do these scams — helped by a general lack of understanding of how IP actually works. Many people focus on protecting their rights without grasping concepts like fair use or the limits of enforcement. That knowledge gap is exactly what scammers exploit, dressing up bogus claims as legitimate.
How to protect yourself
Scammers use technology to make schemes look convincing, so don’t take correspondence at face value:
- Verify the source of any legal document and the contact information independently.
- Check the sender’s email domain carefully against the firm’s real domain.
- Watch for red flags — urgent payment demands, inconsistencies, pressure tactics.
- Contact the firm directly through its official website, not the details in the notice.
The takeaways
- Impersonation scams target IP firms and their “targets” alike — fake notices demand payment over invented violations.
- John Doe orders are the remedy — Shardul Amarchand and Anand & Anand both won Delhi HC injunctions against anonymous scammers.
- The knowledge gap fuels it — misunderstanding IP and fair use makes people easier to intimidate.
- Verify everything — domain, contacts and demands — before acting on any “legal notice.”
Frequently asked questions
How do law-firm impersonation scams work? Scammers send fake legal notices from look-alike emails or WhatsApp accounts, posing as a firm’s partners and demanding payment over invented IP violations.
What legal remedy have firms used against these scams? John Doe (Ashok Kumar) orders — Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and Anand & Anand both obtained Delhi High Court injunctions against anonymous impersonators.
How can I tell if a legal notice is fake? Check the email domain against the firm’s real one, verify contacts independently, watch for urgent payment demands and inconsistencies, and contact the firm through its official website.
What should I do if I receive a suspicious IP legal notice? Don’t pay or respond directly — verify the source through the firm’s official channels and seek independent legal advice.
Useful official resources
- The Trade Marks Act, 1999
- Cyber Crime reporting — Government of India