Alerts

Warning: Emails claiming to be from James Crossley of Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors)

13 August 2024

Emails have been sent claiming to be from James Crossley of Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited (trading as CEL Solicitors) in relation to in relation to supposed recovery of funds from scams.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent from an individual falsely claiming to be 'James Crossley' using an email address of 'james.crossley.celsolicitors.co.uk@dr.com' in relation to supposed recovery of funds from scams.

The email misuses the name, logo, address and telephone number of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through 'james.crossley.celsolicitors.co.uk@dr.com' 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 and Legal Limited trading as CEL Solicitors based at 12th Floor 20 Chapel Street Liverpool L3 9AG. The telephone number is 0151 909 8212 and email domain ends with @celsolicitors.co.uk.

Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited does employ a staff member called James Crossley.

Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited have confirmed that they, and their staff member James Crossley, do not have any connection with 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.