Alerts

Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from 'Nicholson Solicitors LLP'

5 April 2023

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Nicholson Solicitors LLP'.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent to various individuals falsely claiming to be from 'Nicholson Solicitors LLP'.

The email seen by the SRA appears to relate to a conveyancing transaction.  It appears to be sent from a genuine email address of a genuine firm and also gives the genuine contact details for a genuine firm (see below).

The SRA understands that other emails request the recipient to transfer deposit funds into a fraudulent bank account. The SRA has been advised that the emails generate a return email address of '@nicholsonsslaw.com'.

Any business or transaction through the email domain '@nicholsonsslaw.com' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm called Nicholson Solicitors LLP. The firm's genuine email domain ends in @nicholsonslaw.com. The genuine firm has offices in Lowestoft, Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

Nicholson Solicitors LLP has confirmed that it has no genuine or intended connection to the emails referred to above.

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.