Alerts

Warning: Fraudulent individual purporting to be represented by Gates and Moloney (Norton Wagstaffe (West Sussex) Limited)

6 November 2023

An individual has attempted to place an offer on a property stating she is represented by Amanda West who is employed by Gates and Moloney.

What is the scam?

An individual has attempted to place an offer on a property via an estate agent. The individual informed the estate agent that she was represented by a solicitor called Amanda West who was employed by Gates and Moloney. An email from amandawest@amsolicitors.com has been sent to the firm relating to the transaction.

Any business or transaction through a person called Amanda West or the email address of amandawest@amsolicitors.com is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA does authorise and regulate a genuine firm of solicitors called Norton Wagstaffe (West Sussex) Limited trading as Gates and Moloney. The firm’s email domain ends with @gatesandmoloney.co.uk.

The genuine firm of Gates and Moloney have confirmed that it does not employ an individual called Amanda West and it has no genuine and intended connection to the email domain@amsolicitors.com.

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.