Alerts

Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from Polpitiya & Co Solicitors

12 August 2021

Emails falsely claiming to sent from 'Martin Knight' of Polpitiya & Co Solicitors.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent to the Home Office, falsely claiming to be from 'Martin Knight” of Polpitiya & Co Solicitors. The emails relate to an immigration matter.

The SRA has been informed that the emails claim to be from 'Martin Knight” and provide an email address of 'Martin.Knight@Polpitiya.uk”.  The emails also misuse the genuine address, telephone number and fax number  of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transaction through 'Martin.Knight@Polpitiya.uk' are not undertaken by a solicitor's firm or a solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Polpitiya & Company Limited .The office address for the firm is 66 King Street Southall, UB2 4DD, its genuine telephone number is 0208 813 9282 and its genuine fax number is 0208 571 0362. The firm’s genuine email addresses end with the domain name is '@Polpitiya.co.uk'.

The firm have confirmed they have no connection to the emails referred to in the scam  above.

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.