Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of MA Solicitors

22 October 2021

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'MA Solicitors' in relation to a supposed property transactions.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'MA Solicitors' in relation to a supposed property transactions.

The emails seen by the SRA claim to be sent by ‘Mohammed Alyas’ and appear to be sent using the email address ‘mrmalyas8@gmail.com’. They also provide another email address of ‘m.alyas@ma-solicitor.co.uk’ and a telephone number of '01582 283203'.

One of the emails claims to provide bank accounts for ‘MA Solicitors’. Details given for the bank are PayRnet, a subsidiary of Railsbank, based in London and Lithuania.

The SRA has also been advised that an altered passport may be in circulation falsely claiming to be for the genuine solicitor.

As part of the property transaction, the SRA has also been advised that a copy utility bill was provided, claiming to be verified by a stamp misusing the genuine name of the solicitor and genuine firm.

Any business or transactions claiming to be through the email addresses of ‘mrmalyas8@gmail.com’ and ‘m.alyas@ma-solicitor.co.uk’ or the telephone number of '01582 283203' are not undertaken by a firm or 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 MA Solicitors. The firm’s genuine telephone number is 01582 431110 and the genuine email is info@masolicitors.co.uk.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Mohammed Alyas who is the sole owner of MA Solicitors. His genuine email address at the firm is masolicitors@hotmail.co.uk.

The genuine firm MA Solicitors and genuine solicitor Mohammed Alyas have confirmed that they have no genuine and 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.