Documents misusing the name of 'Adel Sheikh' and 'Law Offices UK Limited'
Warning: Documents misusing the name of 'Adel Sheikh' and 'Law Offices UK Limited'
28 September 2022
Documents has been prepared misusing the name of 'Adel Sheikh' and 'Law Offices UK Limited' in relation to an investment account.
What is the scam?
Documents have been prepared which misuse the name and SRA identification number of a genuine firm and a genuine solicitor (see below for details).
The documents seen by the SRA supposedly relate to an agreement to freeze a foreign investment account with Barclays Bank. The documents include a Court document and request the payment of funds.
One of the documents appears to have been 'stamped' with a 'stamp' for Adel Al Sheikh, International Lawyer' and another document appears to have been 'stamped' with a stamp for 'Law O. UK Limited, law offices'. The second document also claims to be signed by a Solicitor called 'Mr John Edwards'.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Adel Sheikh, whose SRA identification number is 298337.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Law Offices UK Limited, whose SRA identification number is 566410.
The genuine Adel Sheikh and Law Offices UK Limited have confirmed that they have no connection to the documents or ‘stamps’ referred to in the above alert.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a number of genuine solicitors called John Edwards. The SRA believes that none of the genuine solicitors called John Edwards have any connection to the documentation mentioned 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: 28 October 2022
The SRA has been notified that documents are still being sent by an individual falsely claiming to be 'Adel Sheikh' (see alert above).
The SRA has seen a document relating to an overseas investment bank account. A separate document seen by the SRA has misused the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see above). This document claims to be 'stamped' by the 'High Court in Justice' and by 'Law O.UK Limited'.
In addition, it appears the document is 'stamped' by 'Law Office UK' at 90 Worship Street, London, E85 5HQ.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm called Law O UK Limited.