Norwich Pharmacal order
Updated 2026-09-29
A Norwich Pharmacal order is a court order aimed not at the scammer, but at an innocent third party, such as a bank, telco, or online platform, that holds information about who the scammer is. It compels that party to disclose records like account details or IP logs.
When it matters
This order matters most when you do not yet know who scammed you, for example if contact was only through a messaging app or an anonymous seller. It can help identify the mule account holder or trace who controls a scam profile before a full civil claim against a scammer is filed. Because it involves a third party who did nothing wrong, courts weigh the request carefully, so it is best raised early with a lawyer.
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