Alerts
Warning: 'Oceanic Solicitors' falsely claiming to be a law firm
17 June 2022
A website is operating and falsely claiming to be for a law firm called 'Oceanic Solicitors' based in England.
What is the scam?
A website at 'www.oceanicsolicitors.com' is operating and claiming to be for a law firm called 'Oceanic Solicitors'.
The SRA has also seen a letter sent to a member of the public from an individual called 'Phillip Mann', claiming to 'Attorney at Law' at 'Oceanic Solicitors'. The letter relates to a large, and supposedly unclaimed, 'permanent life insurance policy' of a purported client who held the same surname as the recipient of the letter.
The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Oceanic Solicitors' or a solicitor called 'Phillip Mann'.
The website provides a postal address of '37 Holborn Viaduct, Holborn London EC1A 2DE', although it also claims they are a 'West Sussex probate law firm'. The website also provides a telephone number of ‘+44 745 128 4411' and an email address of 'info@oceanicsolicitors.com'.
The website provides several other email addresses for supposed staff members all ending in @oceanicsolicitors.com. The website misuses the names of genuine solicitors (see below).
The letter seen by the SRA also provides the address and general email address noted above, but also provides a supposed fax number of '+44 113 868 3335', another contact number of '+44 741 598 3927' and email addresses of 'phillip@oceanicsolicitors.com' and 'pmannjd@gmail.com'.
Any business or transactions through 'Oceanic Solicitors' or 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 several genuine solicitors called either Michael Conlon or Andrew Ward.
It is not believed that any of the genuine solicitors called Michael Conlon or Andrew Ward have any connection to the website or letter 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.