Alerts
Warning: WhatsApp messages misusing the name of Joanne Bateman
14 March 2022
WhatsApp messages have been sent misusing the name of Joanne Bateman in relation to a supposed foreign acquisition.
What is the scam?
WhatsApp messages have been sent misusing the name of Joanne Bateman in relation to a supposed foreign acquisition.
The SRA has been advised that messages falsely claiming to be from the CEO of a company have been sent in relation to a supposedly confidential foreign acquisition. One of the messages provides the telephone number '+44 7495 403830' and another messages provides the telephone number of ‘+44 7769 533706' which it claims is for ‘Joanne Bateman', a ‘lawyer' based in London who can ‘brief' the recipient of the messages.
The messages misuse the name and photograph of a genuine employee employed at a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).
Any business or transaction through the above contact numbers are not undertaken by a solicitor or solicitor's practice authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA regulates a genuine individual called Joanne Bateman whose photograph is used in the messages referred to in the above alert. The genuine Joanne Bateman is employed as a paralegal at a firm which is authorised and regulated by the SRA.
The genuine Joanne Bateman whose picture has been used has confirmed that she does not have any connection to the WhatsApp messages referred to in the above alert.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Joanne Bateman. It is believed she is not connected to WhatsApp messages referred to above
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.