Alerts
Warning: Correspondence misusing the name and SRA ID of Ahmed Abdel-Hakam
6 October 2022
Correspondence misusing the names of Ahmed Abdel-Hakam and Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in relation to supposed Forex recovery litigation.
What is the scam?
A member of the public has been contacted by an individual falsely purporting to be ‘Ahmed Abdel-Hakam’. The SRA understands that the correspondence related to supposedly helping to recover funds lost in a previous Forex investment.
Documents were sent to the member of the public that falsely misused the name and SRA ID number of a genuine solicitor (see below). Telephone messages were also sent that falsely asserted that the messages and other correspondence were from a genuine solicitor of a genuine firm (see below). The SRA understands that the messages were sent from the telephone number of ‘+44 7784 318666’.
Any business or transactions through the telephone number of ‘+44 7784 318666’ are not undertaken by a solicitors’ practice or an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Ahmed Abdel-Hakam. He works for Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP and his SRA number is 569638.
The SRA also authorises a genuine firm of solicitors called Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, whose London office is based at One Wood Street, London, EC2V 7WS, England.
The genuine Ahmed Abdel-Hakam and Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP have confirmed they do not have any connection to the correspondence 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
Updated 18 November 2022
The SRA has been informed about additional documents and WhatsApp messages sent to members of the public that falsely misused the name and SRA ID number of a genuine solicitor (see above). 'Law Society Identity cards' were also sent that misused the name and SRA ID of a genuine solicitor and contained the logos of the Law Society of England & Wales and the UK's Ministry of Justice.
The SRA understands one of the cards misused the genuine photo of a genuine solicitor (see above alert).
The Law Society does not issue photo identity cards.
It is understood that these instances of impersonation have taken place in the Middle East.
The SRA is told in one instance, a member of the public instructed the individual purporting to be 'Ahmed Abdel-Hakam' in relation to a shareholder dispute. In another instance, a member of the public was requested by the individual falsely claiming to be 'Ahmed Abdel-Hakam' to transfer legal fees to multiple bank accounts in Saudi Arabia.
The genuine Ahmed Abdel-Hakam has confirmed that he has no genuine connection to the correspondence referred to in the above alert.