Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name of Withers LLP
18 April 2022
Emails have been sent misusing the name of Withers LLP in relation to a supposed Power of Attorney in relation to a supposed inheritance.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent to members of the public misusing the name of a genuine solicitor.
The SRA understands at least one member of the public was asked to make deposits into a bank account with Kathaybank based in Turkey and others have been contacted in relation to donations to the Bannatyne Foundation.
The SRA understands various false email addresses have been created under organisations such as 'thebannatynefoundation@outlook.com' and 'Alanap@witherworldwide.com' and the emails have been sent using email addresses of 'duncanbannatyne@bannnatyne.co.uk', 'mashari.wiyoko@bssn.go.id' and 'alanap@witherswrldwide.com'.
Any business or transaction through any of the above email addresses are 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 Withers LLP trading as Withers WorldWide. The genuine website is at www.withersworldwide.com . The email addresses used by the firm use the domain @withersworldwide.com.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Alana Petraske who is a partner at Withers LLP.
The genuine firm Withers LLP and the genuine solicitor Alana Petraske have confirmed that they have no connection to the alert referred to aboveWhat 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.