Alerts

Warning: Telephone call misusing the names of MA Solicitors and Mohammed Alyas

10 May 2022

Telephone call claiming to be from Mohammed Alyas of MA Solicitors, in relation to a supposed property transaction.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that a telephone call claiming to be from Mohammed Alyas of MA Solicitors has been made to a member of the public in relation to a supposed property transaction.

During the telephone conversation we understand that the caller provided an email address of 'm.alyas@ma-solicitors.co.uk' and a telephone number of '07543175942'.

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'm.alyas@ma-solicitors.co.uk' or the telephone number of '07543175942' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called MA Solicitors (SRA ID: 424918). The genuine telephone number for the firm is 01582 431110 and the genuine email address is masolicitors@hotmail.co.uk.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Mohammed Alyas who is the sole owner of MA Solicitors.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called MA Solicitors Limited (SRA: 561548). The genuine telephone number for the firm is 0121 446 6886 and the genuine email address is malias@masolicitors.net.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Mohammed Alias who is the sole solicitor at MA Solicitors Limited.

The genuine Mohammed Alyas of MA Solicitors and Mohammed Alias of MA Solicitors Limited have both confirmed they have no connection with the matters 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.

More information

Update 11 August 2022

Emails have been sent from the email address referred to in the above alert, which give a new telephone number '01582204218.' The SRA understands calls are being made from this number, also relating to a supposed property transaction.

One email seen by the SRA includes an attachment which provides a letterhead that misuses the address and SRA ID of a genuine firm of solicitors called MA Solicitors (see above alert for details).

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'm.alyas@ma-solicitors.co.uk' or the telephone number of '01582204218' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

The genuine firm MA Solicitors and genuine solicitor Mohammed Alyas have confirmed that they have no connection to the alert reported above.