Alerts
Warning: Email from 'Jacob Novak' misusing the name of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors)
15 August 2024
Emails have been sent misusing the name of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors) in relation to supposed recovery of lost funds.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent from an individual called 'Jacob Novak' claiming to be a 'Cyber Security Agent' at CEL solicitors in relation to the supposed recovery of funds lost to various scams. The email claims that the firm specialises in recovering funds lost to Forex, CFDs, and cryptocurrency scams.
The email was sent using the email address 'jacob.novak.7789@gmail.com' and provides a WhatsApp number of '+44 7376 518549'.
The email misuses the name, address, SRA ID and website link of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).
Any business or transactions through 'jacob.novak.7789@gmail.com' or the telephone number '+44 7376 518549' is 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 and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited trading as CEL whose address is 12th Floor, 20 Chapel Street, Liverpool, L3 9AG. The email domain used by the firm is @celsolicitors.co.uk. The website address is www.celsolicitors.co.uk and the SRA ID is 633955. The telephone number is 0151 909 8212.
Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the email referred to in the above alert and it does not employ a staff member called 'Jacob Novak'.
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.
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