Alerts

Warning: Correspondence misusing the name of Mr James Fulforth of Kingsley Napley LLP

26 April 2022

Correspondence has been sent misusing the name of Mr James Fulforth of Kingsley Napley LLP.

What is the scam?

We have been notified that an individual has received correspondence which appears to be sent from the email address from 'blockchaineu@protonmail.com' falsely claiming to forward a document from a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The attached document was titled 'Certificate for Private Investments' and states that the recipient has a blocked Blockchain account.  The document misuses the name and logo of a genuine firm (see below) and claims to be from the 'Advocacy and Blockchain Departments'.  It also misuses the name, of a genuine solicitor (see below).

Any business or transactions through the above email address 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 Kingsley Napley LLP. It also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called James Fulforth who is a partner at the genuine firm.  His genuine email address is jfulforth@kingsleynapley.co.uk

The genuine firm of Kingsley Napley has confirmed that neither it nor the genuine James Fulforth have any genuine and intended connection to the document 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.