Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name of Jeremiah Wagner and Latham & Watkins LLP
26 March 2024
Emails have been sent misusing the name of Jeremiah Wagner and Latham & Watkins LLP.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent misusing the name of a genuine firm and Registered Foreign Lawyer (see below).
The emails were sent from 'Jeremiah Wagner', using the email address 'jeremiahwagner@lathanandwatkinsllp.com', offering the recipient assistance in obtaining the release of funds saved at a bank. The author refers to working with their co Attorney who practices in Belgium called Mr David Fischer.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate anyone called 'David Fischer'.
Any business or transactions through the email address 'jeremiahwagner@lathanandwatkinsllp.com' is not undertaken by an individual or firm authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Latham & Watkins (London) LLP which has a head office in London.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a Registered Foreign Lawyer called Jeremiah Michael Wagner, who is a Partner at the genuine firm of Latham & Watkins (London) LLP. Emails from the genuine firm use the domain @lw.com.
The genuine firm has confirmed that neither it, nor the genuine Jeremiah Michael Wagner have any 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.