Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Simmons & Simmons LLP

26 March 2024

An email has been sent misusing the name of Simmons & Simmons LLP in relation to a supposedly unpaid invoice.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from a genuine firm of solicitors in relation to a supposed unpaid invoice. The email contained an attachment of a supposed invoice claiming to be in relation to supposed 'professional fees' described as 'Governance, risk and compliance, Global mobility policy, Value-building and succession planning'.

The email was sent using an email address of 'emily.agnoli@simmonsadvisoryslondon.onmicrosoft.com'.

The emails misuse the name of a genuine solicitor and a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'emily.agnoli@simmonsadvisoryslondon.onmicrosoft.com' is not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a firm of solicitors called Simmons & Simmons LLP. The firm email domain ends with '@simmons-simmons.com'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates genuine solicitors called Emily Agnoli, who is Partner of the genuine firm of Simmons & Simmons LLP. The email address above is not the genuine email address of Emily Agnoli.

The genuine firm Simmons & Simmons LLP and the genuine solicitor Emily Agnoli have confirmed that they do 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.

More information

Update 12 April 2024

The SRA has been informed that further emails have been sent using email addresses of 'EmilyAgnoli@simmonsadvisoryslondon.onmicrosoft.com' and 'EmilyAgnoli@simmonslegaladvisocates.onmicrosoft.com' purporting to be from 'Emily Agnoli' at 'Simmons & Simmons' and attaching the supposed invoice.

Both supposed invoices include bank details of a bank account purporting to belong to 'Simmons & Simmons'.

Any business or transaction through the email addresses of EmilyAgnoli@simmonsadvisoryslondon.onmicrosoft.com' and 'EmilyAgnoli@simmonslegaladvisocates.onmicrosoft.com' are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

The genuine firm Simmons & Simmons LLP and the genuine solicitor Emily Agnoli have confirmed that they do not have any connection with the emails or supposed invoices referred to in the above alert.