Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the names 'Burges Salmon LLP' and 'Robert Forman'

24 November 2022

Emails sent misusing the names of ‘Burges Salmon LLP’ and ‘Robert Forman’.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Robert Forman' of 'Burges Salmon LLP'.

One of the emails seen by the SRA asks the recipient to check paragraphs in 'a latest agreement' and there is a link included in the email. A second email has a link claiming to be a 'summary report' to be 'included in the database'.

A concern is that the link may contain malware.

The emails appear to have been sent by 'Robert Forman' but were in fact sent from the email addresses of 'leekra.keulr@hongxhe.com' and 'fernando@plantiagro.com'

The emails also provide the telephone numbers for a genuine solicitor (see below).

Any business or transaction through the email addresses of 'leekra.keulr@hongxhe.com' and 'fernando@plantiagro.com, are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice 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 Burges Salmon LLP.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Robert Forman who is a Partner at Burges Salmon LLP.

The genuine email address for Robert Forman is robert.forman@burges-salmon.co and his genuine phone numbers are +44 (0) 131 314 2126 and +44 (0) 7891 399 457.

The genuine firm Burges Salmon LLP has confirmed that neither it nor the genuine Robert Forman has any connection with the emails, telephone number and mobile number 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 (eg. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.