Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of 'Farrer & Co LLP'

29 April 2024

An email has been sent misusing the name of 'Farrer & Co LLP'.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent supposedly from an individual called 'Suzanna Berkowicz' falsely claiming to be from a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The email seen by the SRA requests that the recipient transfers €8,000 for legal costs and they will receive $9.5m in return.

The email was sent from the domain '@farrer-chamber.co.uk'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called 'Suzanna Berkowicz'.

Any business or transaction through the domain '@farrer-chamber.co.uk' on behalf of 'Farrer & Co LLP' is not undertaken by a genuine firm of solicitors.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Farrer & Co LLP which uses the domain name '@farrer.co.uk'.

The genuine firm has confirmed it does not have any connection to the email referred to in the above alert.

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.