Alerts

Warning: Document and stamp misusing the name of Gillhams Solicitors LLP

18 November 2021

A 'Power of Attorney' document has been sent falsely claiming to be from Gillhams Solicitors LLP.

What is the scam?

A member of the public has received a 'Power of Attorney' document falsely claiming to be from Gillhams Solicitors LLP. The purported 'Power of Attorney' document seen by the SRA refers to a transfer of funds for an investment in Malaysia.

The 'Power of Attorney' seen by the SRA provides an address of 'Second Floor, 47 Fleet Street, EC4Y, 1BJ', a telephone number of '+447537170449', and an email address of 'gilhamsolicitors@consultant.com' (see below). The 'Power of Attorney' claims to be from 'barrister Raymond Cruz'.

Any business or transaction through the above address, telephone number, email address and individual are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Gillhams Solicitors LLP, whose head office is at 26 North End Road, Golders Green, London,  NW11 7PT. The firm can be contacted on the telephone number 020 8965 4266 and the email address solicitors@gillhams.com.

The genuine firm of Gillhams Solicitors LLP has confirmed that they do not have any genuine or intended connection to the document referred to in the above alert.

The SRA does not authorise any individual called Raymond Cruz and Gillhams Solicitors LLP does not employ anyone of that name.

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.