Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

12 October 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Andrew Welbourn and Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

What is the scam?

Members of the public have been contacted by an individual falsely purporting to be 'Andrew Welbourn' with documents falsely purporting to be from a genuine firm of solicitors. The SRA understands that the communications and documents relate to legal proceedings.

Correspondence is usually attached to emails and includes letters that misuse the name, address, telephone number and logo of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The email have been sent using email addresses of 'Andrew.Welbourn@HerbertSmithFreehills', 'Herbert.smith.freehills@legislator.com' and 'Herbert.Smith.Freehills@legislator.com'.

Any business or transactions through 'Andrew.Welbourn@HerbertSmithFreehills', 'Herbert.smith.freehills@legislator.com' and 'Herbert.Smith.Freehills@legislator.com' 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 a genuine firm of solicitors called Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, whose London office is based at Exchange House, Primrose Street, EC2A 2EG, England. The telephone number is 02073748000. The firm email domain ends with @hsf.com.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Andrew Welbourn. He is a Consultant at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, and his SRA number is 162599.

The genuine Andrew Welbourn and Herbert Smith Freehills LLP have confirmed they do not have any connection to the alert above.

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.