Alerts

Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from Henry Wood of Greenberg Traurig, LLP

1 August 2024

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Henry Wood of Greenberg Traurig, LLP in relation to a supposedly confidential transaction.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent, falsely claiming to be from 'Henry Wood' of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.  We understand that the emails refer to a confidential transaction that the recipient's company is supposedly undertaking, and also make reference to the recipient being required to make a confidential payment of money.

Any such emails misuse the name of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).  We understand that an image or photo of the genuine solicitor is also misused.

The SRA has been advised that the emails were sent from several email addresses, including 'w.henry@consultant.com' and 'henry.wood@greenberg-laws.co.uk', and that they are made to appear as if sent from “Henry Wood (GT London)”.

We understand that the scam emails referred to above are preceded or followed up by a further bogus communication, from someone pretending to be the CEO of the company concerned.

Any business or transaction through the email addresses 'w.henry@consultant.com' and 'henry.wood@greenberg-laws.co.uk' 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 firm of solicitors called Greenberg Traurig, LLP. The firm uses the domain name @gtlaw.com.

There is a genuine solicitor named Henry Wood who is a solicitor at the genuine firm of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. His genuine email address is henry.wood@gtlaw.com.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP has confirmed that neither the firm nor the genuine Henry Wood has any 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.