Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Ackroyd Legal (London) LLP

24 March 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Ackroyd Legal (London) LLP providing fraudulent bank account details.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Eaman Alhemyari' of 'Ackroyd Legal (London) LLP' in relation to a conveyancing transaction.

The emails seen by the SRA requested the recipient transfer deposit funds and included bank details which differed to those of the genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The SRA has been advised that the emails were sent from the email address of 'eaman.alhemyariackroydlegal@mail.com' and misuse the details of a genuine trainee solicitor and a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through the email domain of 'ackroydlegal@mail.com' 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 firm called Ackroyd Legal (London) LLP. The firm's genuine email domain ends in @ackroydlegal.com. Its head office is based at 16 Prescot Street, London E1 8AZ.

Eaman Alhemyari is a trainee solicitor at Ackroyd Legal (London) LLP. His genuine email address is eaman.alhemyari@ackroydlegal.com.

Ackroyd Legal (London) LLP has confirmed it 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.

More information

Update 25 May 2023

The SRA has been informed that further similar bogus email has been sent, this time from the bogus domain of '@ackroydlegals com'.

The SRA have been advised that the emails were sent from the email address 'Renee.wilson@ackroydlegals.com' and again requested the transfer of deposit funds while misusing the name of the genuine firm of solicitors and one of its employees.

We are informed that the genuine firm does have an employee called Renee Wilson, whose genuine email address is renee.wilson@ackroydlegal.com.

Update 16 May 2023

The SRA has been informed that an email purporting to be from Jay Wong was sent to a client requesting the transfer of deposit funds in relation to a property purchase.

The SRA has been advised that the email was sent from what appears the genuine email address of Jay Wong, but is believed to have been spoofed. It misuses the details of a genuine solicitor and firm of solicitors.

Yuk Yin (Jay) Wong is a solicitor at Ackroyd Legal (London) LLP.

Update 26 April 2023

The SRA has been informed that other emails from the bogus domain of 'ackroydlegal@mail.com' were sent and requested the transfer of deposit funds in relation to a property purchase.

The SRA has been advised that the emails were sent from the email address of 'gozde.tanisackroydlegal@gmail.com' and misuse the details of a genuine trainee solicitor and firm of solicitors.

Gozde Tanis is a trainee solicitor at Ackroyd Legal (London) LLP. Their genuine email address is gozde.tanis@ackroydlegal.com.

Update 29 March 2023

The SRA has been informed that other emails from the bogus domain of 'ackroydlegal@mail.com' were sent and requested the transfer of deposit funds and included bank details which differed to those of the genuine firm of solicitors.

The SRA has been advised that the emails were sent from the email address of 'harry.somerfieldackroydlegal@gmail.com' and misuse the details of a genuine trainee solicitor and firm of solicitors.

Harry Somerfield is a trainee solicitor at Ackroyd Legal (London) LLP. His genuine email address is harry.somerfield@ackroydlegal.com.