Alerts

Warning: Letter claiming to be from 'LCF Solicitors at Law'

5 May 2022

A letter has been sent claiming to be from 'LCF Solicitors at Law' in relation to a supposed inheritance.

What is the scam?

The letter provides an address of 'Sweden, Hassleholm, Brodakra 5205, 281 91', a telephone number of '+46 76451-0563' and an email address of 'johanlars@worker.com'.

The letter misuses the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below). 

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called 'Johan Lars'.

Any business or transaction through 'Johan Lars' or any of the above contact details are not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called LCF Law Limited trading as LCF, LCF Barber Titley, LCF Online and LCF Works. The head office is based at One St. James Business Park, New Augustus Street, Bradford BD1 5LL. The telephone number is 01274848800. The email addresses used by the firm use the domain @lcf.co.uk.

The genuine firm called LCF Law Limited has confirmed that they have no connection to the alert 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.

More information

Update 9 May 2022

Further correspondence has been sent to members of the public claiming to be from 'Johan Lars' of 'Johan Lars LLP'. The correspondence seen by the SRA asks the recipient to help claim the inheritance due as the recipient holds the same surname as the supposed client/deceased. The letter also misuses the logo of the genuine firm above.

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Johan Lars LLP'`.