ALERT – Identity Theft Involving lawyer Nadezhda Svinarova-Petrova and Attempted Fraud

We wish to draw the attention of our clients and partners to an attempted fraud involving the unauthorised use of the identity of Nadezhda Svinarova-Petrova, Attorney-at-law and of NSP Avocats, law firm.

NSP Avocats, law firm, is, among other areas, particularly active in representing victims of scams and online fraud. It therefore appears that certain fraudsters may seek to misuse our experience and reputation in this field in order to make their own fraudulent schemes appear more credible.

In this particular case, we have been informed that malicious individuals have taken and used, without authorisation, the photograph of lawyer Svinarova-Petrova published on the firm’s website, nsp-avocats.com, together with various pieces of publicly available information appearing on our website, in order to create fraudulent documents, including through the use of artificial intelligence tools. These documents notably include a purported national identity card issued in her name.

These documents are being used as part of fraudulent approaches in which third parties request the payment of sums of money, in particular on the pretext that certain fees must be paid in order to “release” or unlock a supposed inheritance, estate or funds allegedly deriving from it.

We wish to state in the clearest possible terms that:

• Lawyer Nadezhda Svinarova-Petrova is not the author of any such communication and is in no way associated with these actions;

• NSP Avocats has no connection whatsoever with the persons behind these requests;

• any identity document purportedly relating to lawyer Svinarova-Petrova and circulated in this context must not be considered authentic;

• no request for payment made in this context originates from lawyer Svinarova-Petrova or NSP Avocats.

This is a case of identity theft and attempted fraud.

We therefore urge anyone receiving such a message, document or payment request not to transfer any money, not to disclose any personal or banking information and not to follow any instructions received.

If you have any doubt as to the authenticity of a message, document or payment request purportedly issued by our firm, by one of our lawyers or, more generally, by any other law firm or legal professional, we strongly recommend that you verify the identity of the person concerned by contacting them directly using only the official contact details published on their website.

Identity theft and the falsification of documents have unfortunately become increasingly common features of fraudulent schemes.

More generally, remain particularly vigilant when faced with offers that appear too good to be true: fake inheritances or estates, supposedly exceptional investments, unexpected winnings, fake refunds, urgent requests for payment or alleged fees that must be paid in order to release funds. These are clear warning signs of an attempted scam.