Alerts

Warning: Letter misusing the name of Keith Oliver of Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP

14 August 2022

A letter has been sent misusing the name of Keith Oliver of Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP in relation to the purchase of German bonds.

What is the scam?

The SRA understand that a supposed 'Letter of Intent' has been sent, falsely claiming to be from a genuine solicitor of a genuine firm (see below).  

The document seen by the SRA advises the recipient that an unnamed bank is supposedly willing to buy 'loose German bonds' for a large amount of money. The recipient is asked to 'fix meeting schedules and payment'.

The document misuses the name, address and the old logo of the genuine firm, and is 'stamped' with a fake stamp that also misuses the genuine name and address of the genuine firm (see below).

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP whose head office is based at 15 Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1BW.

The SRA authorises and regulates a solicitor called Keith Oliver who is a partner at Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP.

The genuine firm of Peters and Peters Solicitors LLP and the genuine Keith Oliver have confirmed they have no connection to the document 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.