Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of 'Stewarts Law LLP'

4 May 2022

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Andrew Hill and Stewarts Law LLP, in respect of unclaimed inheritance money.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that a member of the public has received an email from an individual claiming to be 'Andrew Hill' of 'Stewarts Law LLP’, claiming to be appointed to administer the inheritance of a previously unknown individual with the same surname as the recipient of the email.

The recipient is asked to provide the following documents as the 'beneficiary of the inheritance title': death certificate, affidavit of claim, HRMC tax receipt and probate instruction by the High court.

The recipient is also asked to complete a 'declaration of representative' form and return it via email to 'akaikutsu@lawyer4u.com'.

The email seen by the SRA was sent from the email address of 'akaikutsu@lawyer4u.com' and provides the telephone number; '+447024092982' and fax number '+44 8447743938'.

It also misuses the name and address of a genuine firm (see below) and the name of a former partner at the genuine firm (see below)

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'akaikutsu@lawyer4u.com', the telephone number; '+447024092982' and fax number '+44 8447743938' 'is 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 does authorise and regulate a genuine firm of solicitors called 'Stewarts Law LLP'. The genuine firm's head office is at, 5 New Street Square, London, EC4A 3BF.

The firm's genuine email domain ends with 'stewartslaw.com'

The SRA does also authorise and regulate a number of genuine solicitors called 'Andrew Hill', one of whom was a former partner at Stewarts Law LLP.

Mr Andrew Hill, the former partner at the genuine firm has confirmed he has no connection to the email referred to in the above alert and it is also believed that none of the other genuine solicitors called Mr Andrew Hill have any connection to the email referred to in the alert above.

The genuine firm of Stewarts Law LLP has confirmed that it has no connection to the emails referred to in the alert 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.