Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of James Mathieson and Latham & Watkins LLP

6 December 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of James Mathieson and Latham & Watkins LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent misusing the name of a genuine firm and solicitor (see below).

The emails were sent from 'Daniel Whitaker', using the email address 'daniel584449@gmail.com' purporting to be a genuine solicitor (see below), and offering legal representation to the recipient based in the USA.

The email purports to assist the recipient in recouping funds of $125,000 from another company whilst requesting a legal fee of 20%. A fake invoice stating the genuine firm's name on the letterhead was attached and emailed to the recipient.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called 'Daniel Whitaker'.

Any business or transactions through the email address 'daniel584449@gmail.com' is not undertaken by an individual or firm authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Latham & Watkins (London) LLP which has a head office in London.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a solicitor called James Robert Christopher Mathieson who is an associate at the genuine firm of Latham & Watkins (London) LLP. Emails from the genuine firm use the domain @lw.com.

The genuine firm has confirmed that neither it, nor the genuine James Robert Christopher Mathieson have any connection to the email 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.