Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name and address of Sterling Lawyers Ltd

18 March 2022

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Sterling Lawyers Ltd in relation to an alleged tax payment.

What is the scam?

Emails have been received by a member of the public from an individual named Dr James Sayers of 'European central bank'. The email relates to a supposed tax recovery payment where the individual is asking the recipient to deposit monies into a bank account, followed by payment from 'European central bank'.

Emails also provides a supposed address of 8-12 New Bridge Street, London EC4V 6AL. The address provided is that of a genuine firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA (see below).The SRA does not authorise or regulate an individual named Dr James Sayers.

Any business or transaction through the email address 'european_central_bank.support@sterling.credit' and ' doctor_james.sayers@sterling.credit' is not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA does authorise and regulate a genuine solicitor named Mr James Sayers and he has confirmed that he has no connection to the scam mentioned above. 

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Sterling Lawyers Limited. The genuine email addresses used by the firm use the domain '@sterlinglawyers.co.uk.

The genuine firm of Sterling Lawyers Limited has confirmed that is has no connection to the scam 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.