THE Cebu-based Aquino Gaviola Cavalida Law Firm has issued a public alert after a suspected organized group allegedly impersonated the firm to send fraudulent demand letters to foreign individuals.
Founding partner Khen Aquino revealed that scammers created a fake website nearly identical to the law firm’s, changing only the domain name while using the firm’s real address and contact details to target at least six individuals in the United States.
Aquino said in a phone interview that the firm received multiple messages in early February 2026 from foreigners verifying the legitimacy of the letters they had received.
“They were addressed to them, with their names and addresses. Apparently, it was from our firm, but with a different logo and a fake partner named Thomas Laragan,” Aquino said.
The firm plans to report the suspected phishing and extortion scheme to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group.
“So far, six people in the United States have reached out to us. It’s concerning because the letters looked completely legitimate,” he added.
Aquino warned that other law firms, businesses, or public figures could also be targeted, noting that organized groups often replicate logos and websites to carry out similar schemes. / ABC