Alerts

Warning: Telephone calls misusing the name of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors)

24 October 2023

Telephone calls have been made misusing the name of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors)

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that an individual called 'Ryan' claiming to be from a genuine firm of solicitors in relation to open a 'Koinly.io account' to pay money up front for supposed legal services.

The call was made using a telephone number of '+44 7566 236 957'.

The call misuses the name of a genuine firm of solicitors namely Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited trading as CEL.

Any business or transactions through the telephone number of '+44 7566 236 957' is 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 Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited trading as CEL. The telephone number is 01519098212.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Ryan Beeley who is an Associate Solicitor at Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited.

Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited also has a staff member called Ryan Biggs employed as a Proclaim Developer.

The genuine firm of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited and the genuine Ryan Beeley and Ryan Biggs have confirmed that they do not have connection with the telephone number 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 (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.