Here are the latest scam alerts as issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
Emails from “David Lee” of “Mark & Co.”
The SRA say they have seen emails claiming to be written by a “David Lee” who states he is a “Senior Partner” at “Mark & Co”
The emails come from smzafar.59@gmail.com and claims to attach a contract. It gives the address 15 York Road, Liverpool SL6 1SW, telephone numbers 01628 675 777 and +44(0)161 200 1700 and fax 41648 638666.
The email also falsely claims that the sender is “Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No: 566789” however the SRA say they do not authorise or regulate a firm with the name “Mark & Co”.
Emails containing malware claiming to be from “Robertson Humphreys”
The SRA say they have seen emails claiming to be from “Robertson Humphreys”, at “Robertson Conveyancing Limited – Solicitors & Advocates”. The emails have “draft contract documentation” which may contain malware.
The emails come from “robertson@remit-worldpay.co.uk” and include the address 9 Beach Road, South Shields, Tyne & Wear NE33 2QA, telephone numbers 0191 4974102 and 0191 4555101, fax number 0191 4975895. Some of these details are for a genuine firm of solicitors named Hannays Solicitors and Advocates who are not connected to this scam.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate any persons with the name “Robertson Humphreys”.
Emails misusing details of Nick Wiseman of Woolley & Co Limited
A member of the public has reported receiving an email from a Nick Wiseman of Wooley & Co over an unclaimed inheritance. It suggests emailing Nick Wiseman on the address “markwoloshak@wooleysolicitors.co.uk”. The SRA does not regulate any such solicitor.
The genuine firm say they have no connection with these emails, and that the Nick Wiseman they employ is a chartered legal executive. The firm do not employ a Mark Woloshak and while the SRA do regulate such an individual he says he is unconnected with these emails.
Emails from “Anxiom Stone” and “Aniom Stone Firm”
Members of the public have reported receiving emails from a Rita Phillip supposedly of “Anxiom Stone” or “Anion Stone Firm” relating to the purchase of a property abroad with the recipient to send a deposit.
The emails reportedly come from the address law.anxiomstone@consultant.com, with telephone number +44 144 085 7589 and address DVS House, 4 Spring Villa Road, Edgware, HA8 7EB, United Kingdom. The SRA say this is a misused address of a genuine firm of solicitors
The SRA say they do not authorise or regulate any firms called “Anxiom Stone” or “Aniom Stone Firm”. The SRA does not authorise or regulate any individual called “Rita Phillip”.
The genuine Axiom Stone Solicitors confirm that it does not employ a consultant called Rita Philip and that it has no connection to the emails referred to above.
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 practicing details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.
