Alerts

Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from Sunil Vaghji

11 May 2023

Emails have been sent to a member of the public falsely claiming to be from Sunil Vaghji in respect of a conveyancing transaction.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent to a member of the public falsely claiming to be from Sunil Vaghji (see below for details of a genuine solicitor).

The emails we have seen relate to a conveyancing transaction.

The emails seen by the SRA were sent from the email address 'vaghji.sunil@gmail.com'.

Any business or transaction done through the email address 'vaghji.sunil@gmail.com' is 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 called Sunil Vaghji who is an associate solicitor at Harold Benjamin Solicitors Limited. The firm’s email domain ends with @haroldbenjamin.com.

The genuine Sunil Vaghji and the genuine firm of Harold Benjamin Solicitors Limited have confirmed that they have no connection to the above matter or the above email address.

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.