Alerts

Warning: Emails sent from 'Josh Dunn' of 'Justin Andersen & Co' and website operating as a law firm

20 July 2022

Emails have been sent from 'Josh Dunn' claiming to be from a law firm called 'Justin Andersen & Co.' An accompanying website 'http://jandersenlegal.com' was also operating.

What is the scam?

A member of the public has received emails from an individual using the name 'Josh Dunn' claiming to be from 'Justin Andersen & Co.'

The member of public was supposedly introduced to 'Josh Dunn' through someone they met on a dating site.

Emails seen by the SRA appear to have been sent from the email address 'dunn.consultant797@gmail.com' regarding a supposedly unclaimed inheritance.

The website 'http://jandersenlegal.com' which falsely claims to be for a firm of solicitors called 'Justin Andersen & Co' is no longer active.

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a solicitor called 'Josh Dunn' or a firm of solicitors called 'Justin Andersen & Co' (although see below in relation to genuine individual solicitors).

Any business or transactions through the above organisation or the website and email address set out above 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 called Andersen & Co; whose SRA number is 304559.

Anderson & Co ceased to practice in 2001.

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.