Alerts

Warning: Correspondence and emails falsely claiming to be associated with Carole Nash Legal Services LLP

24 February 2022

Emails have been sent by 'Barrington McKoy' and 'David Bruce' claiming to be associated with 'Carole Nash Legal Services' relating to a motor accident claim.

What is the scam?

A member of the public received a letter falsely claiming to be from “Carole Nash” (but using the misspelt name of “Carol Nash Legal Services” in the address).  The letter related to a supposed settlement of a motor accident claim and misuses the name and address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).  The recipient of the letter subsequently received emails from people using the names ‘Barrington Mckoy’ and ‘David Bruce’, claiming to be associated with this settlement and repeatedly asking for additional up-front payments before a larger payment could supposedly be processed. 

The emails from ‘Barrington Mckoy’ (as seen by the SRA) came from the email address ‘bmckoy2000@gmail.com’, with ‘Barrington McKoy’ referring to himself as a ‘Finance Officer’ and ‘Finance Head’.  The emails from 'David Bruce' came from the email address ‘kareemiyatechnology@gmail.com’, with ‘David Bruce’ referring to himself as a ‘Senior Manager’. 

Any business or transaction through the email addresses above are not undertaken by a solicitors’ practice or by an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises a genuine firm of solicitors called Carole Nash Legal Services LLP, which is a licensed body which operates from its head office address of Helmont House, Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2HE.

Carole Nash Legal Services LLP has confirmed they have no genuine or intended connection to the letters or emails referred to in the above alert, and do not employ a “Barrington McKoy” or “David Bruce”

The SRA regulates two non-practising solicitors called David Bruce, who are not believed to have any connection to the above matters.

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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