Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Mercers

28 July 2022

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Mercers regarding a supposedly unclaimed inheritance.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent to a member of the public from an individual claiming to be called 'Sir Launcelot Bridge', falsely claiming to be a family solicitor at Mercers. The emails relate to a supposedly unclaimed inheritance and asks the recipient to provide personal information and identification documentation.

The SRA understands that the member of the public was initially approached by 'Launcelot Bridge' on social media.

The emails seen by the SRA appear to be sent from the email address 'la.bridge001@gmail.com' and provided the name and postal address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called 'Launcelot Bridge'.

Any business or transactions done through 'Sir Launcelot Bridge' or the email addresses 'la.bridge001@gmail.com' are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Mercers (SRA ID 53077). Its office address is 50 New Street, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 2BX, England. The firm's genuine email domain ends with '@mercerslaw.co.uk'

The genuine firm of Mercers has confirmed that it has no connection to the emails, or the individual 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.