Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of BWT Law LLP

19 May 2021

Correspondence has been sent misusing the name of Loraine Sinclair of BWT Law LLP

What is the scam?

The SRA understands that emails have been sent to members of the public claiming to be from 'Loraine Sinclair' of BWT Law LLP. (see below in relation to the genuine firm and solicitor).

The SRA understands that the current genuine email address of a genuine solicitor has been compromised (see below).

The emails seen by the SRA appear to have been sent from the following email addresses: 'ls@bwtlaw.co.uk', 'ls@bvvtlaw.co.uk' and 'ls@vvtlaw.co.uk' in an attempt to divert the recipient’s funds for a property transaction.

Any business or transactions through the email addresses above 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 BWT Law LLP. The genuine firm uses email addresses that end with the domain name '@bwtlaw.co.uk'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Loraine Sinclair, who is a member at BWT Law LLP and whose genuine email address is 'loraine@bwtlaw.co.uk'. Loraine Sinclair’s previous genuine email address was 'ls@bwtlaw.co.uk'. However this is no longer in use.

The genuine firm of BWT Law LLP has confirmed that neither it nor the genuine solicitor, Loraine Sinclair, have any intended connection to the emails 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.