Alerts

Warning: 'Atlas' and the website 'Atlas Lawyers' claiming to be law firm

5 July 2022

A document has been sent from 'Atlas' claiming to be from law firm. An accompanying website is also operating.

What is the scam?

A member of the public has received a document from an individual using the name 'Yousef Hatem Adv' (see below for details of a genuine solicitor) and claiming to be from 'Atlas' or 'Atlas Law Firm'.  The SRA understands the document relates to a supposed Foreign Exchange transaction in Saudi Arabia. 

The document provides an address of 'Broadgate Tower, 20 Primrose St, London EC2A 2RS', a telephone number of '+442039875944' and a website address of 'www.atlas-lawyer.org'.  The website provides email addresses of 'info@atlas-lawyer.org’ and ‘cs@atlas-lawyer.org', a further telephone number of '+44 7407247839' and a postal address of '50-52 Chancery Lane London Wc2a1hl'.

The website sets out an apparently sizable team of lawyers, including misusing the names and/or photographs of several genuine solicitors. 

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Atlas', 'Atlas Law Firm, 'Atlas Lawyer' or 'Atlas Lawyers'. 

The website misuses the names and/or photographs of genuine solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through the above organisation or the telephone numbers and email addresses 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 authorise and regulates a genuine solicitor called Yousuf Hatem, who is employed at KPMG International and has previously confirmed he has no genuine connection to similar issues (see linked alert).  He is also not believed to have any genuine connection to the documents or website referred to in the above alert. 

None of the genuine solicitors whose names and/or photographs are used on the website referred to in the above alert are believed to have any genuine connection to the website or the linked documentation.  

Several genuine firms of solicitors have offices within Broadgate Tower, 20 Primrose St, London.  None of the genuine firms are believed to have any connection to the matters 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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