Hall of Fraud: 7 Fake Lawyers Who Fooled the World and How They Got Caught
By Issac Owusu - Legal Intern
In a world where law is built on trust, a few bold fraudsters chose deception instead of dedication. These seven fake lawyers shocked courtrooms, won cases, earned millions—and then lost it all when the truth came out.
1. Giovanni Di Stefano (UK/Italy) – “The Devil’s Advocate”
The Scam: Di Stefano claimed to represent notorious clients like Saddam Hussein and Slobodan Milošević, calling himself a “high-profile international lawyer.” In truth, he had no legal qualifications in any jurisdiction.
The Fall: In 2013, he was convicted of 27 counts of fraud, deception, and practicing law without credentials. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison by Southwark Crown Court.
2. Kimberly Kitchen (USA) – The Bar Association President Who Never Studied Law
The Scam: Kitchen practiced estate law in Pennsylvania for over 10 years. She drafted legal documents, advised clients, and even served as President of her local bar—without a law degree or bar admission.
The Fall: In 2016, she was convicted of unauthorized practice of law, forgery, and felony record tampering. She received a 2½ to 5-year prison sentence.
3. Brian Mwenda Njagi (Kenya) – The “Lawyer” Who Won 26 Cases
The Scam: Mwenda stole the identity of a registered lawyer and practiced law in Kenyan courts. Incredibly, he won 26 cases, impressing clients and even judges.
The Fall: In 2023, Kenya’s Law Society and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested him. He had never studied law or been admitted to the bar.
4. Frank Abagnale Jr. (USA) – The Original Courtroom Con Man
The Scam: Before becoming a consultant for the FBI (popularized in Catch Me If You Can), Abagnale impersonated a lawyer and allegedly passed the Louisiana bar exam at just 19.
The Fall: Although no court conviction came from this specific fraud, later investigations found no official record of him passing the bar or working at the Attorney General’s office. His story is partly embellished, but his impersonations were real.
5. Bartholomew K. (Ghana) – The Graduate Who Never Got Called
The Scam: Claimed to be a practicing attorney in Accra, Ghana. He offered legal representation for real estate deals, court filings, and even notarized documents.
The Fall: In 2022, Ghana’s General Legal Council issued a public alert when victims came forward. Investigations revealed he had failed the Ghana Bar entrance exam but had forged a certificate and fake ID card.
6. C. Michael Ross (USA) – The Self-Taught “Lawyer” Who Passed for Years
The Scam: Posed as a lawyer and represented dozens of clients in California, even filing suits in federal court. He created fake bar licenses and law degrees.
The Fall: In 2015, his client accused him of mishandling a case. The California Bar found he had no formal education or license. He was arrested for fraud and impersonation.
7. Paul Osei Mensah (Liberia/Ghana) – The Cross-Border Impersonator
The Scam: Operated legal advisory services in Liberia and Ghana using a forged Nigerian law degree. Claimed to be certified in international law and human rights.
The Fall: In 2020, a multinational firm demanded verification. All credentials turned out fake. He was arrested by Interpol for impersonation, fraud, and forging academic papers.
When Courtrooms Become Crime Scenes
These seven cases show how far deceit can go in the legal profession—and how vulnerable even robust systems can be. Whether motivated by greed, ego, or the thrill of deception, these fraudsters ultimately got caught, leaving behind trails of broken trust.
