Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Dechert LLP

27 February 2024

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Dechert LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent to third parties falsely claiming to be 'Laura Brank' and 'Emma Brady' at 'Dechert LLP'.

The email seen by the SRA has requested for a payment to be made in relation to a new acquisition. The email provided a company registration number which was not that of the genuine firm. The email also misused the email footer and former address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transaction through the email addresses of 'info@bradye.com' and 'bradye@protonmail.com' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Dechert LLP. The genuine firm's head office address is 25 Cannon Street, London EC4M 5UB. The firm's email domain is '@dechert.com'.

The genuine firm has confirmed that Emma Brady and Laura Brank are employees of the firm.

The genuine email address of Emma Brady is Emma.Brady@Dechert.com, and the genuine email address of Laura Brank is Laura.Brank@Dechert.com.

The genuine firm has also confirmed that it, Laura Brank and Emma Brady do not have any genuine and intended connection to the email 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.