Impersonation and copied identities

Investigation

The situation

A person is contacted by someone using the name of a legitimate firm. The payment destination and contact details may differ from those of the genuine business.

Records to examine

Preserve the exact domain, email headers where appropriate, social profiles, messages, payment instructions and dated screenshots. Verify legitimate contact routes independently.

Investigative work

Compare identifiers with exact primary notices and authoritative records. Preserve clone qualifiers. Examine payment flows and the actual communications rather than treating a name match as proof.

Recovery routes to assess

Prepare a precise account for relevant providers or authorities and consider suitable independent legal input. Keep the genuine firm distinct from the impersonator throughout reports and correspondence.

What an investigation can deliver

An identity comparison, chronology, transaction context and potential lawful route.