Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Adam Howell Smith

14 February 2023

The SRA has seen emails misusing the name of Adam Howell Smith in relation to the supposed recovery of previously lost funds.

What is the scam?

A member of the public has received an email falsely claiming to be from 'Adam Smith' in relation to the supposed recovery of assets that the recipient had previously lost in a cryptocurrency investment.

The email was sent from the email address of 'sra.gov.aml@adamhowellsmith.com'.

The email provides the website of 'https://www.adamhowellsmith.com/', a contact number of '+44 787 6722 700' and misuses the SRA ID number of a genuine solicitor (see below).

The SRA has seen another email from 'Enzo Chiesa' that also misuses the name of a genuine solicitor and provides a link to a website 'https://assetttracer.org' that is supposedly to be used to recover the lost capital.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor with the name 'Enzo Chiesa'.

Any business or transaction through email address 'sra.gov.aml@adamhowellsmith.com', the website 'https://www.adamhowellsmith.com' and the contact number '+44 787 6722 700' are 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 solicitor with the name Adam Howell Smith who is a freelance solicitor.

The genuine solicitor Adam Howell Smith has confirmed he has no connection to the emails 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.