Alerts
Warning: A website for ‘Aswad Al-Kanaan’ misusing the names and photographs of genuine solicitors
25 March 2022
The website 'www.aswahdlawfirm.com' is operating and misusing the names, photographs and details of some genuine solicitors.
What is the scam?
The website 'www.aswahdlawfirm.com' is operating. The website claims to be for a law firm called 'The Law Firm of Aswad Al-Kanaan' but it is misusing the names, photographs, and some details of various genuine solicitors (see below).
The website provides office addresses in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, China and Chicago alongside several contact telephone and fax numbers, as well as email addresses for all supposedly connected lawyers with the domain ending in @aswahdlawfirm.com.
Any business or transactions through the website or organisation referred to above, is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates genuine solicitors called Duncan Weston, David Abel, Eleanor Abbott and Kathryn (Katy) Abrahams, who all work for the genuine SRA regulated firm of CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP (the Firm).
The genuine Duncan Weston, David Abel, Eleanor Abbott and Kathryn (Katy) Abrahams have confirmed that although their names and photographs are used on the website referred to in the above alert, they do not have any genuine connection to the website.
The Firm have also confirmed that the website referred to in the above alert also misuses the names and photographs of several other genuine overseas lawyers who work for them.
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.