Alerts

Warning: Telegram misusing the name of Chloe Roche and Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors)

23 October 2023

Messages via the app Telegram have been sent misusing the name of Chloe Roche and Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors).

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that messages sent via the app Telegram have been sent from an individual claiming to be 'Chloe Roche' from a genuine firm of solicitors in an attempt to ask for money up front for providing legal services in respect of recovering funds from a fraudulent transaction.

The message sent misuses the name of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name and photograph of a genuine solicitor namely Chloe Roche who is an employee at Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited trading as CEL .

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 SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Chloe Roche who is an employee at Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited.

The genuine firm of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited and Chloe Roche have confirmed that they do not have connection to 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.