Alerts
Warning: Emails from 'Barrister Bart Williams’ of 'B.Williams & Co Solicitor'
15 July 2022
Emails have been sent to a member of the public from 'Barrister Bart Williams' of 'B.Williams & Co Solicitor' in relation to a supposed inheritance claim.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been advised that correspondence has been sent to a member of the public from 'Barrister Bart Williams' of 'B.Williams & Co Solicitor'. The emails seen by the SRA advise the recipient to claim a supposed inheritance fund before “the bank confiscate the account”. The recipient of the emails is requested to sign a 'UK Terms and Service Fee' and make a payment of £12,110.00 for legal fees.
The emails seen by the SRA are from 'Barrister Bart Williams' who refers to himself as a 'Legal Practitioner, Solicitor & Consultant'. The emails provide a telephone number of '+44 1603 340 506' an email address of 'info@bwilliamsandco.org' and the postal address of 'The Bircham Centre, Market Pl, Norwich, Reepham, Norfolk, NR10 4JJ'.
The correspondence also misuses the genuine SRA ID of a genuine firm (see below).
Any business or transaction through 'Barrister Bart Williams' of 'B.Williams & Co Solicitor' and the above contact details are not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called BART-WILLIAMS & CO (SRA ID: 289473). The firm’s head office address is 138 Stradbroke Grove, Clayhall, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex, IG5 0DJ.
The genuine email address for the firm is info@bwcsolicitors.co.uk and its genuine contact number is 020 8215 0337.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Adrian Bart-Williams who is a Principal Solicitor at BART-WILLIAMS & CO.
The genuine Adrian Bart-Williams has confirmed he has no 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.
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