Alerts

Warning: Stamped document misusing the name 'Ronald Fletcher & Co LLP Solicitors'

5 March 2024

A document purporting to be a property lease claims to have been prepared and stamped by 'Ronald Fletcher & Co LLP Solicitors'. The signature purports to be of 'Amrit S Virdi'.

What is the scam?

An energy supplier has received a lease agreement that is falsely purporting to have been stamped and prepared by 'Ronald Fletcher & Co LLP Solicitors'. The lease agreement falsely purports to have been signed by 'Amrit S Virdi' of 'Ronald Fletcher & Co LLP Solicitors'.

The document misuses the name, logo, address, website and SRA ID of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below). The document also misuses the signature of a genuine solicitor (see below).

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Ronald Fletcher & Co LLP Solicitors. Its address is 243 Elgin Avenue, Maida Vale, London W9 1NJ and its SRA ID is 639446. Its website is https://rfclaw.co.uk.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Amrit S Virdi, who is a partner at the genuine firm Ronald Fletcher & Co LLP Solicitors. His SRA ID is 119024.

The genuine firm Ronald Fletcher & Co LLP Solicitors has confirmed that neither it nor the genuine Amrit S Virdi have any connection to the particular stamp, signature or stamped document 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.