Alerts

Warning: Document stamp misusing the name of MA Solicitors

16 February 2022

Documents have been 'stamped' and 'certified' with a stamp misusing the name of Mr Mohammed Alyas at MA Solicitors.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that a document described as a statutory declaration and claiming to be ‘certified that the document is a true copy of the original', having been stamped by a 'stamp' purporting to be from MA Solicitors' has been sent to a firm of solicitors in respect of a property sale.

The SRA has also seen a second document, a copy of a passport which also 'certified that the document is a true copy of the original', having been stamped by a 'stamp' purporting to be from MA Solicitors' This document appears to be signed by an individual purporting to be ‘Mohammed Alyas’.

The stamp provides the telephone number; ‘01582283203’ and misuses the name and office address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through the above telephone number is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA does authorise and regulate a genuine firm called MA Solicitors, whose address is 120a Dunstable Road, Luton, LU1 1EW. The telephone number for the genuine firm is 01582431110.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Mohammed Alyas who is a solicitor and the owner of MA Solicitors.

The genuine firm MA Solicitors and the genuine solicitor Mohammed Alyas have confirmed that they do not have any connection to the ‘stamp’ or documents 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.