Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Kevin Walsh and Smithfield Partners

14 September 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Kevin Walsh and Smithfield Partners.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from a genuine solicitor at a genuine firm (see below). The email address used to send the emails was 'kevin.walsh@smithfieldpartner.com'. The genuine firm's email domain is @smithfieldpartners.com not @smithfieldpartner.com (the fraudulent domain has dropped the 's').

The emails advised the recipient to transfer monies in relation to a property transaction to an alternative bank account.

Any business or transaction through the email address 'kevin.walsh@smithfieldpartner.com' are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Kevin Walsh (SRA ID: 320421) who is employed at Smithfield Partners Limited, based in Luton. The genuine email address is kevin.walsh@smithfieldpartners.com.

The genuine firm of Smithfield Partners Limited has confirmed that neither the firm nor the genuine solicitor, Kevin Walsh, have any connection to the emails 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.