Alerts

Warning: Website claiming to be law firm called 'Georg Peter Sieben Solicitors'

14 March 2022

The website 'www.gpssolicitors.co.uk' is operating, falsely claiming to be for a law firm called 'Georg Peter Sieben Solicitors'.

What is the scam?

The website 'www.gpssolicitors.co.uk' is operating, falsely claiming to be a law firm called 'Georg Peter Sieben Solicitors'.

The website provides a telephone number of '+44 7407603063' and an email address of 'enquiries@gpsolicitors.co.uk'.  It also gives the postal address for three branches of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The website states claim that 'Peter Sieben' is a solicitor at 'Georg Peter Sieben'.  It also misuses the names and / or photograph of genuine solicitors (see below).

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Georg Peter Sieben Solicitors', nor does it authorise or regulate solicitors called 'Peter Sieben'.

The website appears to be a copy of a website belonging to a genuine firm of solicitors misuses the registered postal addresses of the genuine firm. (see below) 

The SRA understands that there is also a LinkedIn profile for the 'Georg Peter Sieben' https://www.linkedin.com/in/gps-solicitors-1535a4226/  trk=people_directory&originalSubdomain=uk.

Any business or transaction through 'Georg Peter Sieben Solicitors', 'Peter Sieben' or the website, telephone number and email address referred to above is not undertaken by a solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Harper James Limited. The head office is based in Floor 5, Cavendish House, 39-41 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5PP. The telephone number is 08006891700 and the email domain end with @harperjames.co.uk. The website is at https://harperjames.co.uk/.

The firm has a branch office in Manchester based at 13th Floor, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BT and a branch office in Sheffield based at 2-5 Velocity Tower, 1 St Mary’s Square, Sheffield, S1 4LP.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Alan Dark who was previously employed as a consultant at Harper James Limited.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Adam Kudryl who is employed as a solicitor at Harper James Limited.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Toby Harper who is Director of Harper James Limited.

 

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.