Here are the most recent scam alerts issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Faxes and emails claiming to be from “Helena Kennedy” at “PGA Solicitors”
Members of the public have reported receiving a faxed letter or emails regarding an unclaimed inheritance. The letters and emails, writen in German, list the phone numbers +44 793 705 2536 and +44 207 117 6091, fax +44 207 022 1720, email info@helenakennedy.com and address 28B Osborn Street, Shadwell, London, E1 6TD.
Another email of admin@helenakennedy.com has also been used.
While the firm PGA Solicitors is a genuine firm based at 1st Floor, 218-220 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ, they say they have no connection with the emails and don’t employ anyone by the name of Helena Kennedy. Correspondingly, the SRA say they don’t regulate anyone by that name either.
Emails claiming to be from “William Barry” of “@Cornwall Law LLP”
Members of the public say they have received emails regarding an inheritance, which claim to come from William Barry of “@Cornwall Law LLP” and have attached documents purporting to be “limited power of attorney”.
The emails list the genuine web and postal addresses of the genuine firm @Cornwall Law, at 11 Edward Street, Truro and cornwall-law.com. However the firm say the listed telephone numbers +44 702 405 9523 and 01870 222688 as well as the emails “williambarryesq@gmail.” and “williambarryesq@zoho.com” are not genuine.
Emails from a “Gabriel Fernandez” claiming to be from Armstrong Private Client.
Emails from “gabrielfernandez@post.com” have been sent to members of the public relating to the estate of a deceased individual and possible inheritance claiing to be from a Gabriel Fernandez at Armstrong Private Client.
The firm is genuine but say they employ no individual of that name.
Emails claiming to be from Barr Chris Bartley
The SRA are warning that emails from a “Barr Chris Bartley/Attorney Chris Bartley Esq” from barchrisbartley@gmail.com relating to an unclaimed inheritance are not genuine.
The email also lists “Principal Partners” as being Simon Mark Esq , Amie O’Neil Esq, John Dumela, Paul Weber Esq and Gerrard Olaf Esq. Whilst the SRA does regulate and authorise genuine solicitors called Christopher Bartley and Paul Weber, although Mr Weber is not currently practising as a solicitor The genuine Mr Bartley has confirmed that he has no connection to the email referred to above.
The SRA does not regulate or authorise individuals named Simon Mark, Amie O’Neil, John Dumela or Gerrard Olaf.
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.
