Alerts

Warning: Fraudulent individual purporting to be a freelance solicitor working for 'Irwin Mitchell Ltd'

10 October 2023

An individual by the name of 'Nayo Nbuski' is purporting to be a freelance solicitor working for 'Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Ltd'.

What is the scam?

An individual using the name 'Nayo Nbuski' is claiming to be a freelance solicitor undertaking work for clients of 'Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Ltd'. 'Nayo Nbuski' is using the email address nayo.nbuski@gmail.com and holds himself out as being based at the Sheffield branch of that firm.

The SRA does not regulate or authorise either an individual by the name of 'Nayo Nbuski' or a firm by the name of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Ltd (a limited company – see below).

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm called Irwin Mitchell LLP (a limited liability partnership). Its head office is Riverside East, 2 Millsands, Sheffield, S3 8DT.

Its telephone number is 03701500100. All emails from the genuine firm use the domain name @irwinmitchell.com.

The genuine firm has confirmed that 'Nayo Nbuski' is not employed by Irwin Mitchell LLP and that nobody going by that name undertakes work for its clients as a freelance solicitor.

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.