Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name of Ashurst LLP
11 January 2022
Emails been sent misusing the name of Ashurst LLP, in respect of an unclaimed inheritance.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that members of the public have received emails from an individual claiming to be a Partner at a genuine firm. The emails relate to a supposedly unclaimed inheritance for an unknown individual.
The emails were sent using an email address of 'reededward45@gmail.com'.
The emails misuse the name and postal address of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).
Any business or transaction through the email address of 'reededward45@gmail.com' is 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 does authorise and regulate a genuine firm of solicitors called Ashurst LLP. The genuine firm's head office is at 1 Duval Square London Fruit and Wool Exchange London E1 6PW. The firm's genuine email domain ends with @ashurst.com.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Robert Aird who is a Partner at Ashurst LLP. His genuine email address is rob.aird@ashurst.com
The genuine firm Ashurst LLP and Robert Aird have confirmed they have no connection to the emails referred to in the alert above.
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.
More information
Update 24 February 2022
The SRA has been informed that members of the public have received further emails in relation to the supposedly unclaimed inheritance for an unknown individual using email addresses of:
- 'rob.aird@zohomail.com'
- 'lawesq7@gmail.com'
- 'privatee14@gmail.com
- 'reededward427@gmail.com'