Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of James Saunders and 'Saunders & Partners LLP and Saunders Law'

25 February 2022

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'James Saunders' of Saunders Law.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'James Saunders' of Saunders Law.

Individuals have been sent emails which invite victims of fraud to reclaim lost funds through Saunders Law and that an advance fee was required to achieve this. The emails provided fraudulent bank details and misused a picture of the genuine 'James Saunders' (see below). 

The SRA has been advised that the emails were sent using the email address 'James.saunderslegal@gmail.com'.

Any business or transactions through the email address 'James.saunderslegal@gmail.com' or Saunders Law is not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or an individual authorised or regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Saunders & Partners LLP, which trades as Saunders Law. The genuine domain used at the firm is '@saunders.co.uk'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called James Saunders whose genuine email address is 'james@saunders.co.uk'.

The genuine firm of Saunders & Partners LLP has confirmed that neither the firm nor the genuine James Saunders have any connection to the emails 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.