Alerts
Warning: Document falsely claiming to be from 'Legal Studio and Consult'
14 April 2022
A document has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Legal Studio and Consult' in relation to supposed damages for cryptocurrencies investment.
What is the scam?
A document has been sent from 'Legal Studio and Consult' claiming to be a 'Contract for Legal Services' for 'activities procedural at the office of FCA regarding the damages suffered by scam trading companies'.
The document is stamped using a stamp of 'Legal Studio and Consult Law Office'.
The document misuses the name and postal address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).
The SRA has been advised that a member of the public was also contacted by an individual claiming to be called 'Christina Maltezou' claiming to be a lawyer from 'Legal Studio and Consult' in relation to a fraudulent cryptocurrencies investment . The member of the public was informed the money is with the FCA and 'Christina Maltezou' needed a Power of Attorney and a payment of 20%.
The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Legal Studio and Consult' or 'Legal Studio and Consult Law Office' nor does it authorise or regulate a solicitor called 'Christina Maltezou'.
Any business or transaction through 'Legal Studio and Consult' or 'Legal Studio and Consult Law Office' or 'Christina Maltezou' is not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called MDLS Solicitors Limited whose address is The Tannery 91 Kirkstall Road Leeds LS3 1HS. The genuine firm uses trading names of Legal Studio, Legal Studio Solicitors and The Legal Studio.
The genuine firm MDLS Solicitors Limited has confirmed that they have no connection to the alert above and they do not carry out any work related to cryptocurrencies investment.
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.
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