Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the names of Timothy Goodger and Elborne Mitchell LLP
25 April 2024
Emails have been sent misusing the name 'Timothy Goodger' and 'Elborne Mitchell LLP' regarding the refund of investment funds.
What is the scam?
Emails have been sent purporting to be from 'Timothy Goodger' regarding a supposed refund from an unregulated brokerage service provider for cryptocurrency.
Emails seen by the SRA appear to have been sent from the email address 'tim.goodger@protonmail.com'. The emails and/or documents provided misuse the name of a genuine solicitor and the name and address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).
Any business or transactions through the email address 'tim.goodger@protonmail.com' is not undertaken by any individual or firm authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Elborne Mitchell LLP, which has a head office at Token House, 11-12 Tokenhouse Yard, London, EC2R 7AS. Emails from the genuine firm use the domain @elbornes.com.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor named Timothy Goodger, who is a partner at Elborne Mitchell LLP. His genuine email address is goodger@elbornes.com.
Elborne Mitchell LLP and the genuine Timothy Goodger have confirmed they have no genuine 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.