Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of AWH Legal Ltd

13 December 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of AWH Legal Ltd.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent from Kasim Akhtar misusing the name AWH Legal Ltd. Mr Akhtar has been advertising houses for let in the Burnley area and informing potential tenants he is a solicitor, using the email address 'awhlegaladvice@gmail.com'.

Any business or transactions being carried out through the email 'awhlegaladvice@gmail.com' or the individual 'Kasim Akhtar' are not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called AWH Legal Ltd. The genuine firm's email domain is '@awhsolicitors.co.uk'.

The genuine firm AWH Legal Ltd has confirmed that it does not have any genuine and intended connection to the above emails and do not employ or have any connection with an individual called 'Kasim Akhtar' as 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.