Alerts
Warning: Document and email misusing the name of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors)
20 June 2024
A document and email have been sent misusing the name of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors).
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that a document has been sent by email from an individual called 'Samantha Hendrix' claiming to be a 'Case Handler' in the Recovery Team purporting to be from a genuine firm of solicitors in relation to supposedly providing assistance to recover funds lost on transactions made through fraudulent entities.
The document was sent using an email address of 'cel@govsystems.info'.
The email further states that the supposed recovered funds will be transferred in the form of cryptocurrency to a crypto banking account and provides a link stating, 'Here is the link access your wallet where we’ve secured your funds'.
The concern is the link may contain malware.
A supposed stamped ‘Agreement’ document was also provided.
The document and email misuses the name of a genuine firm of solicitors. The email also misuses the address of the genuine firm (see below).
Any business or transactions through 'cel@govsystems.info' 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 & 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 genuine firm of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited has confirmed that they do not have any connection with the alert above and do not employ a staff member called 'Samantha Hendrix'.
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.