Alerts

Warning: Invoices have been sent claiming to be from C/M/S Legal /Tax

28 April 2022

Invoices have been sent claiming to be from C/M/S Legal /Tax

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that invoices have been sent claiming to be from 'CMS Legal/Tax' requesting payment for 15,000 Euros to be remitted.

The invoice was signed by 'Fredegar Wilfried' and provides the SRA number '00079441'. It also gives the address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through 'CMS Legal / Tax' or an individual called 'Fredegar Wilfried' the above is not undertaken by a solicitor's practice authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA does authorise and regulates a genuine firm called CMS Cameron Mckenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, which previously had an office at 160 Alders Gate Street, London, EC12 44DD.

The SRA number for the genuine firm is '423370'.

The genuine firm: CMS Cameron Mckenna Nabarro Olswang LLP has confirmed that it has no connection to the invoices referred to in the alert above.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Nadine Wong & Co whose SRA number is 79441, which has confirmed that it is not connected to the invoices 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.