Alerts
Warning: Website and correspondence sent from 'Lead Crown Legal Service(s)'
28 April 2023
A website and correspondence sent from 'Lead Crown Legal Service(s)' are misusing the name of a genuine non-practising solicitor and practising solicitor.
What is the scam?
The website 'www.leadcrownlegalservice.com' is operating, claiming to be for a law firm called 'Lead Crown Legal Service' and 'Crown Legal Services'.
The website provides an address in Glasgow, a telephone number of '+1 (859) 254-6589' and email addresses of 'info@leadcrownlegalservice.com', 'info@crownlegalcrown.com' and 'roy.sweeting@crownlegalcrown.com'.
However, as well as claiming to employ 'Roy Sweeting' and 'Bryan Glinton' the website misuses the name of a genuine non-practising solicitor (see below).
The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent to a member of the public from someone using the name 'Norman Fraser' claiming to be an 'associate' of 'Lead Crown Legal Services'.
The email seen by the SRA asks the recipient to help claim an 'investment account' as the recipient is said to be a distant relative of the supposed client / deceased. The email advises the recipient that they will receive 49% of the total money with 1% of the money kept aside for costs and the remaining 50% to go to the supposed 'Norman Fraser' (see below for details of a genuine solicitor).
The emails seen by the SRA provide a telephone number of '+44 7360 277 422' and the email addresses 'norman.fraser@zohomail.com' and 'n.m.fraser69@gmail.com'.
Any business or transactions through 'Lead Crown Legal Service(s)' and 'Crown Legal Services' or the above website, email addresses, telephone numbers and above individuals are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA regulates a non-practising solicitor called Andrew O’Brien. The genuine non-practising solicitor is believed to have no connection to the website referred to in the above alert.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a solicitor called Norman Fraser. The genuine Norman Fraser has confirmed he has no genuine or intended connection to the emails or website 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.
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