Alerts
Warning: Correspondence and documents misusing the name of Elizabeth Anne Brown
23 December 2022
Correspondence and documents in the name of 'Elizabeth Anne Brown,’ provided in relation to the supposed recovery of previously lost funds
What is the scam?
A member of the public has received correspondence from someone using the name 'Enzo Morelli Chiesa', who falsely claims to be in an SRA authorised partnership with a genuine solicitor called Elizabeth Anne Brown.
The emails and documents relate to the supposed recovery of assets that the recipient had previously lost in cryptocurrency investments but requiring an initial payment.
One email seen by the SRA contained the following footer:” Elizabeth Anne Brown is a company registered in England and Wales. Authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 3242860”. A bogus certificate of authorisation is also understood to have been sent to the recipient.
The SRA does not authorise a firm of solicitors of this name, but see below in relation to the misuse of the name and individual SRA number of a genuine solicitor.
The SRA has also seen messages sent from the telephone number of '+1(236) 206-8909' that have misused the name and SRA ID of the same genuine solicitor (see below).
The SRA does not authorise and regulate a solicitor, REL or RFL called 'Enzo Morelli Chiesa.'
Any business or transaction through 'Enzo Morelli Chiesa' claiming to be part of such an authorised firm, or through the telephone number of '+1(236) 206-8909' are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a solicitor called Elizabeth Anne Brown with the SRA ID – 324286. The genuine solicitor has confirmed that they have no connection to the correspondence referred to in the above alert, or to an individual called 'Enzo Morelli Chiesa'.
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.