Alerts

Warning: Email from 'Jane Morris' misusing the name of Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited (trading as CEL Solicitors)

15 August 2024

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited (trading as CEL Solicitors) in relation to supposed recovery of funds from fraudulent schemes.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent from an individual claiming to be  'Jane Morris' from the finance department of CEL Solicitors in relation to supposed recovery of funds for individuals who have been victims of from fraudulent schemes.

The email was sent using the email address 'jane.morris@celsolicitors.eu' and provided a contact WhatsApp number of '+31 6 84299407'.

The SRA understands that similar emails have also been sent from individuals claiming to be affiliated with CEL Solicitors using the email addresses of 'brian@celsolicitors.eu', 'john.grant@celsolicitors.eu' and 'marccoste@celsolicitors.eu'.

The emails misuse the name, logo and website link of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through the above email addresses or email addresses using the domain @celsolicitors.eu and the telephone number '+31 6 84299407' are 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 The telephone number is 0151 909 8212.and the firm's email domain ends with @celsolicitors.co.uk and the website address is www.celsolicitors.co.uk.

Cheshire Estate and Legal Limited has confirmed that it does not employ staff members called 'Jane Morris', 'Brian', 'John Grant' or 'Marccoste' and it has no 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.