Scam Alert Round up 29th February

Scam Alert Round up 29th February

Here are the most recent scam alerts issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Letters and emails claiming to be from Clarke Willmott LLP

The SRA has received reports of emails and a letter claiming to be from Andrew Stone of Clark Willmott stating that the recipients should cease selling counterfeit or unauthorised goods on an online auction site or face a fine or prosecution. The emails contain genuine details of the firm and solicitor but are sent from “andrewstone_clarkewillmottmachester@outlook.com” which is not Andrew Stone’s genuine email address.

Both Andrew Stone and Clarke Willmott LLP deny any connection with the email and state any genuine email will be from an address finishing “@clarkewillmott.com”.

Emails claiming to be from “Richmond Chambers Immigration Barristers”

Members of the public have reported receiving emails from “Richmond Chambers Immigration Barristers” with regards to an employment on behalf of a “Mr Mark Morgan” from an email address, “immigration@barristers.me.uk”, instructing the recipient to contact the UK Immigration Office on “uk@immigrate-visa.com”, to provide documents in order to obtain a visa.

The SRA do not regulate a “Richmond Chambers Immigration Barristers” or anyone using the above email addresses. Whilst Richmond Chambers LLLP is a genuine firm it is not connected with such emails.

Website in the name of “Arden Chambers London & Docklands Solicitors”

A website, “www.ardenchambers.ll-yn.com” , has been found, claiming to operate in the name of Arden Chambers London & Docklands Solicitors. It also names it’s partners as Peter Manny, Paul Outwater, Daniel Mills-Billerman and Matthew Hopkins.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called “Arden Chambers London & Docklands Solicitors” and does not regulate or authorise any solicitors called Peter Manny, Paul Outwater, Daniel Mills-Billerman or Matthew Hopkins.

Whilst Arden Chambers are a firm regulated by the Bar Standards Board, the firm say they are unconnected with the website.

What to do

When a firm’s or individual’s identity has been copied or cloned, due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firms or individuals, 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 may be required in other circumstances.

Josh Morris

Josh is the Journalist for the Today's Group and writes many of the articles for Today's Conveyancer. He graduated with a degree in Physics from Cardiff University in 2009 before training as a journalist. He has previously written for The Times, The Mirror and The Daily Express.

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