Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of 'Stephen Oliver'

20 June 2022

An email has been sent misusing the name 'Stephen Oliver' regarding a supposedly unclaimed inheritance.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent purporting to be from 'Stephen Oliver' regarding a supposedly unclaimed inheritance from a previously unknown individual claiming to have the same surname as the recipient of the email.

The email seen by the SRA appears to be sent from the email address of 'llpofficialoliver@gmail․com', and misuses the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).

Any business or transaction through 'llpofficialoliver@gmail․com' is not undertaken by an authorised solicitor's practice or by an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates two genuine solicitors called Stephen Oliver.

The genuine solicitors have confirmed that they have no connection to the email 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.

More information

Update 13 September 2022

The SRA understand that another member of the public has received similar contact using the email addresses of 'stephenoliverllp@outlook.com' and 'solicitors.oliver@gmail.com'.

The genuine solicitors have confirmed that they have no connection to these email addresses either, as referred to in the above alert.