OABRJ launches campaign against fake lawyer scams

The Rio de Janeiro section of the Brazilian Bar Association (OABRJ) has launched an awareness campaign following more than 2,000 reports of a 'fake lawyer' scam. The fraud involves criminals impersonating legal professionals to deceive individuals awaiting judicial process results.

Scammers exploit the fact that court proceedings are public information to identify potential victims. They often use unknown phone numbers to request urgent payments or Pix transfers, sometimes even using voice messages to mimic lawyers. OABRJ President Ana Tereza Basilio advises citizens to distrust any urgent payment requests from unknown numbers and to verify all communications through their lawyer’s established contact channels.

In collaboration with the Brazilian Institute of Legal Research and Education (Ibrapej), the OABRJ has distributed educational booklets at the Carioca Metro station to explain scam variations and warning signs. The organization has also requested that the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice implement measures to help combat this type of fraud.