Alerts

Warning: Correspondence misusing the name of Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd

31 May 2022

Correspondence has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd'.

What is the scam?

A member of the public has received an email from duncanlewiss@consultant.com, relating to a Will which bequeathed 30kg of gold bars and 15 acres of farmland to their next of kin. The email asks  the recipient to pay money to avoid the property being auctioned.

The purported Will and associated documentation misuse the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through the email address duncanlewiss@consultant.com are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or an individual authorised or regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd. Its head office address is Sackville House, 143-149 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 6BL.

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.