Alerts

Warning: Emails and stamped document misusing the name of Stefanie O'Bryen T/A Watlington Solicitors

3 November 2023

Emails and a stamped document have been sent misusing the name of Stefanie O'Bryen T/A Watlington Solicitors in relation to providing legal services.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent from an individual called 'Osman Kamara' using an email address of 'osman@watlingtons.co.uk'.

The SRA understands that emails have been sent from another individual called 'Edward Elkins' using an email address of 'edward@watlingtons.co.uk'.

The emails misuse the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The SRA has also seen a copy passport certified by 'Edward Elkins' by way of signature and stamp, which misuses the name and address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions conducted using the email address of 'osman@watlingtons.co.uk' and 'edward@watlingtons.co.uk' are not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Stefanie O'Bryen T/A Watlington Solicitors. The address of this firm is 20 Shirburn Street, Watlington, OX49 5BT. The email domain of this firm is @watlingtonsolicitors.co.uk.

Stefanie O'Bryen has confirmed the firm does not have any connection to the passport signed by Edward Elkins and purportedly stamped by her firm. The genuine stamp of the firm contains the firm's email address of info@watlingtonsolicitors.co.uk.

Stefanie O'Bryen has confirmed that Osman Kamara worked at the firm as a case worker between March 2022 to August 2022 on a locum basis. Stefanie O'Bryen confirmed that Osman Kamara no longer has any connection to the firm and the email address of 'osman@watlingtons.co.uk' has been defunct since August 2022.

Stefanie O'Bryen has confirmed that Edward Elkins worked at the firm as a case worker between February 2022 to December 2022 on a locum basis. Stefanie O'Bryen confirmed the firm has not had any connection to Edward Elkins since December 2022 and the email address of 'edward@watlingtons.co.uk' should have been defunct since December 2022.

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.