Alerts
Warning: Correspondence from 'Angus Blacklock' of 'Wyatt & Blacklock' and connected website
5 May 2022
Emails have been sent to a member of the public claiming to be from 'Angus Blacklock' of 'Wyatt & Blacklock', and the website 'www.wandbchambers.com'.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed a that a member of the public has received correspondence from 'Angus Blacklock' who claims to be a 'Managing Partner' of 'Wyatt & Blacklock P.C'. The emails seen by the SRA advise the recipient that the firm will help obtain compensation on the recipient’s behalf in respect of a fraudulent claim being made using the recipient's ID. One of the emails states that a 'restitution payment' has been approved and refers to the 'British Royal High Court' and the 'Federal Ministry of Finance 'Exchange Control Approval' Number', and requests that payment to be made to a bank account.
The emails seen by the SRA are sent from the email address 'angus.b@wandbchambers.com', provide a contact number of '0741 834 0611', the website 'www.wandbchambers.com' and an address of '4 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester', M3 3EB (see below).
The website 'www.wandbchambers.com' is also operating. The website provides the above postal address for a supposed presence in the UK, as well as claiming to have an office in Switzerland. The website provides the email address 'info@wandbchambers.com' and further telephone numbers of '+44 753 710 3463' and '+44 753 710 7450'.
The website also gives the names of 'Angus Blacklock', 'Lorraine Baker', 'Kevan Wyatt' and 'Joone Holger' who are said to be attorneys at the firm.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate any solicitors called 'Angus Blacklock' 'Lorraine Baker', 'Kevan Wyatt' or 'Joone Holger' nor does it regulate a firm called ‘Wyatt & Blacklock’.
Any business or transaction through 'Angus Blacklock', 'Lorraine Baker', 'Kevan Wyatt' or 'Joone Holgar', 'Wyatt & Blacklock', the above email addresses, website, or telephone numbers, 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 genuine firms whose postcode is M3 3EB.
The genuine firms are believed to have no connection to the correspondence and website 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.