Alerts

Warning: Contact from a 'freelancer solicitor' using the name 'Jonathan Hunt'

16 May 2023

Members of the public have been contacted by a person purporting to be a 'freelancer solicitor' using the name 'Jonathan Hunt'.

What is the scam?

The SRA understands that members of the public have received emails and telephone calls purporting to be from a 'freelancer solicitor' called 'Jonathan Hunt' regarding the recovery of lost investments.

The emails were sent from the email address 'jonathaanhunt@gmail.com' and ask the recipient to provide bank statements as 'proof of action towards the company'.

The SRA has also been informed that telephone calls have been made purporting to be from 'Jonathan Hunt' using the number 07488872015.

Any business or transaction through 'jonathaanhunt@gmail.com' and via the telephone number 07488872015 are not undertaken by an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA regulates a non-practising solicitor with the name Jonathan Hunt. The SRA does not believe that the genuine non-practising solicitor with the name Jonathan Hunt is connected to the email and telephone number referred to above.

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.