Alerts

Warning: Correspondence from 'Mondini & Associates LLP' and connected website

27 March 2022

A letter has been sent to a member of the public from 'Mondini & Associates LLP' in respect of a supposedly unclaimed inheritance.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that a member of the public has received correspondence from 'Andrew Mondini' who claims to be a “Managing Partner” of 'Mondini & Associates LLP' in relation to a supposedly unclaimed inheritance of a permanent life insurance policy. The letter seen by the SRA is in German. The letter states that 10% of the inheritance fund will go to charity with the remaining 90% said to be split between the recipient of the letter and 'Andrew Mondini'.

The letter provides a telephone number of '+44 7452 359367' and the following email addresses: 'info@mondiniasociates.com' (note the one 's') and 'andrewmondini2005@gmail.com'. It also provides the address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The website 'www.mondiniasociates.com' (note the one 's') is also operating, providing the above telephone number and the 'info@mondiniasociates.com' email address.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Mondini & Associates' LLP', nor does it authorise and regulate a solicitor called 'Andrew Mondini'.

Any business or transaction through the above individual, telephone number, email addresses and website are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or by an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authroises and regulates a genuine firm called JMW Solicitors LLP and one of the firm’s branch offices is located at Kings House, 36-37 King Street, London, EC2V 8BB.

The genuine firm of JMW Solicitors LLP has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the letter and website 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.