Alerts

Warning: Emails and Whatsapp messages misusing the details of a Linklaters partner and Linklaters LLP

17 June 2021

Emails and WhatsApp text messages have been sent misusing the details of a Linklaters partner and the name of Linklaters LLP.

What is the scam?

Individuals at companies and organisations have received Whatsapp messages (including from +49 1521 787 8349) which falsely claim to be from a client of Linklaters LLP. The messages relate to a supposedly confidential business deal and typically request the recipient to call a phone number stated to belong to a partner of Linklaters (including 0204 538 1474 and 0204 538 0063) and/or to send documents to an email address which is stated to belong to a partner of Linklaters but uses a fake domain (such as, but not limited to, '@linklaters-uk.eu', 'linklaters.co.eu' and '@link-laters.eu').

Any business or transactions purporting to be made through any email address with the domain '@linklaters-uk.eu', 'linklaters.co.eu', '@link-laters.eu' or any other domain name similar but not identical to '@linklaters.com' (which is Linklaters LLP’s genuine domain name), or through the telephone numbers '+49 1521 787 8349', '0204 538 1474' or '0204 538 0063' are not undertaken by a solicitor's practice authorised and regulated by the SRA, or by an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Linklaters LLP, whose head office is at One Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ. The head office telephone number is 020 7456 2000.

Genuine emails from Linklaters LLP use the domain '@linklaters.com' only.

The genuine firm of Linklaters LLP has confirmed that neither the firm nor any of its solicitors have any connection to the emails referred to in the alert 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.