Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Buss Murton Law LLP

23 November 2022

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Helen Batt' and 'Craig Boston' of 'Buss Murton Law LLP'.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Helen Batt' of 'Buss Murton Law LLP'. The SRA has been further advised that the emails claim to relate to an international business acquisition and appear to request the transfer of funds.

The email seen by the SRA appears to be sent from the email address 'Hbatt@busmurton.co.uk'.

The SRA is also advised that WhatsApp messages were sent from '+44 7823 435668' purportedly from 'Helen Batt' and misusing a genuine profile picture (see below).  

Emails have also been sent claiming to be from 'Craig Boston' of 'Buss Murton' from the email address craigboston6@gmail.com,  in respect of an unclaimed inheritance.  One email seen by the SRA appears to contain a link to the website of a genuine firm (see below).

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called 'Craig Boston'.

Any business or transaction through the telephone number '+44 7823 435668' or email addresses ending with the domain '@busmurton.co.uk', or from craigboston6@gmail.com is 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 Buss Murton Law LLP. The genuine firm’s website is www.bussmurton.co.uk.

The genuine firm has a Partner called Helen Batt who is a Chartered Legal Executive and whose genuine email address is hbatt@bussmurton.co.uk.

Buss Murton Law LLP has confirmed that neither the firm nor the genuine Helen Batt has any intended connection to the emails or WhatsApp messages 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.