Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Clarke Willmott

14 February 2024

An email has been sent misusing the name of Clarke Willmott and requesting the transfer of funds.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that an email has been sent from 'Sean William Lawrence' of 'Clarke Willmott Legal Services'. The email requests a payment of €6,842.06 EUR in order to access cryptocurrency funds.

The email was sent from 'support@clarkewillmott.net'. It contained a link to the website for the genuine firm (see below).

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Clarke Willmott Legal Services'.

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a solicitor called 'Sean William Lawrence'.

Any business or transaction through 'Sean William Lawrence' or 'Clarke Willmott Legal Services' is not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises a genuine firm of solicitors called Clarke Willmott. The genuine firm's email domain ends in ‘@clarkewillmott.com'.

The genuine firm Clarke Willmott has confirmed that it does not have any genuine and intended connection to the email referred to in the above alert.

The genuine firm Clarke Willmott has confirmed that it does not employ or have any connection to an individual called ‘Sean William Lawrence'.

The genuine firm Clarke Willmott has confirmed that it does not have any connection to ‘Clarke Willmott Legal Services'.

What should I do?

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.