Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Burges Salmon LLP

18 July 2024

An email has been sent misusing the name of Burges Salmon LLP in relation to a claim to property in Dubai.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent to a business in Finland from an individual claiming to be 'Bryan Phillips', Operations Manager at Burges Salmon LLP. The SRA understands that the email appears to have been sent using the email address 'burges.salmon@activist.com'.

The email contained an attachment purporting to be an 'Authorization Letter' which stated it granted the recipient to lay claim to some property held in Dubai. The 'Authorization Letter' contained a certification stamp and misused the name, London address, and telephone number of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transaction through the above email address 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 Burges Salmon LLP. It has a branch office address at 6 New Street Square, London EC4A 3BF. The genuine telephone number is 0207 685 1200 and genuine email addresses used by the firm use the domain '@burges-salmon.com'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate an individual by the name of Bryan Phillips.

The genuine firm of Burges Salmon LLP has confirmed that it does not have any connection with 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.