Here are the most recent scam alerts issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Emails claiming to be from Colin Goldring, Consultant of Justice Solicitors*
Members of the public say they’ve received emails claiming to be from Colin Goldring of Justice Solicitors about an investment. It invites the recipient to put £10,000 into a UK bank account, and from there monies including a legal fee will be repaid.
The emails include the mobile number 07510 663859 and email address colingJusticeSolicitors@consultant.com as well as the genuine details for the genuine firm Justice Solicitors.
Neither Justice Solicitors or their employee Colin Goldring who works as a consultant say they are connected with the emails.
Emails from “Garry Freeman Solicitors and Advocates”
Members of the public have received emails claiming to be from a “Garry Freeman Esq” and “Garry Freeman Solicitors and Advocates”, which falsely claim to be from a solicitor. The emails and attached documents relate to a supposed release of funds to the recipient, supposedly the “next of kin” of a client the alleged firm holds power of attorney.
It lists telephone number +44 7448435461, fax number +44 7448435471 and address Powlett Building, 34 High Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1EF. The emails come from garryfreemanlegalsolicitors@hotmail.co.uk and provides further email addresses of: garryfreemanlegalsolicitors@blueash.net and garryfreemanlegalsolicitors@live.co.uk.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a “Garry Freedman Solicitors and Advocates” or a “Garry Freedman Esq”. There is a genuine “Gary Freedman” who currently works at TLT LLP although neither say they are involved with these emails.
Emails using the name “Miller Evans & Co”
The SRA has been informed of bogus emails from a “Charlotte Miller” of a “Miller Evans & Co” asking the recipient to contact “Charlotte Miller QC” about a business proposal using email address CharlotteMiller@consultant.com.
The email lists the address 1st Floor, 19 Pepper Street, London E15 9RP, London, England with telephone 44 161 884 1079, and fax 44 161 899 1067. Whilst the genuine firm “Miller Evans LLP” do employ someone of that name and do work from that address, neither party say they are connected with the email itself.
What to do
The SRA say when a firm’s or individual’s identity has been copied exactly (or cloned), due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firm(s) or individual(s), or information of a similar nature to that described, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means.
You can contact the SRA to find out if individuals or firms are regulated and authorised by the SRA and verify an individual’s or firm’s practising details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.
(*UPDATE: July 2016
Unsolicited phone calls and emails claiming to be from Justice Solicitors
Members of the public say they’ve received emails claiming to be from Colin Needham of Justice Solicitors. This was followed by an email claiming to be from Raja Khan from Justice Solicitors. Both the email and call referred to an attempt reclaim monies previously paid.
The emails include the mobile number 07947 846 650, SRA Number 620477 and was sent using email address raja-khan@solution4u.com. Some genuine details for the genuine firm Justice Solicitors were also used.
Neither Justice Solicitors Limited or their employee Raja Khan are connected with the emails. The firm no longer use the given SRA ID number and there is no genuine emoloyee named Colin Needham)
