Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP

18 August 2023

Emails have been sent to members of the public purporting to be from Catriona Aldridge of CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP in relation to a supposedly overdue bill.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent to members of the public purporting to be from Catriona Aldridge (see below) in relation to a supposedly overdue bill. The emails seen by the SRA have been sent from the email domains '@cmslawuk.online', '@cmslaws.co.uk', '@cmslawllp.co.uk' and '@cmslaw.co'.

Any business or transactions through the email domains referred to above 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 firm of solicitors called CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP. The firm's email domain ends with @cms-cmno.com.

Catriona Aldridge is a registered foreign lawyer (RFL) who is a partner at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP. Her genuine email address is catriona.aldridge@cms-cmno.com.

Both the genuine firm of CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP and the genuine Catriona Aldridge have confirmed that they have no connection to the email domains '@cmslawuk.online', '@cmslaws.co.uk', '@cmslawllp.co.uk' and '@cmslaw.co'.  

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

Update 5 September 2023

The SRA has been advised that emails continue to be sent purporting to be from Catriona Aldridge from the email domains '@cmslawuk.co' and '@cmslaw.online'. The genuine Catriona Aldridge has no connection to the email domains.

Please see above for her genuine email address.