Alerts

Warning: Website called 'Likewood Inc Limited' claiming to be a law firm misusing the name of Usman Sheikh

22 March 2024

A website at 'www.likewoodinc.com' is operating and falsely claiming to be to be for a law firm called 'Likewood Inc Limited'.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that a website at 'www.likewoodinc.com' was operating falsely claiming to be for a law firm called 'Likewood Inc Limited'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Likewood Inc Limited. The website provided an address of '55 Regina Road Southall London UB2 5PL' and another supposed office address in Hong Kong. The website provided several email addresses using the domain of '@likewoodinc.com'.

The website lists names of people it claims to be lawyers at the firm. Some of these misuses the names of genuine solicitors (see below) and also misuses the name and image of a genuine solicitor (see below). The SRA does not currently authorise and regulate individual solicitors which are listed on the website as 'Steven Nikolov' and 'Adam Berker'.

Any business or transaction through the domain of '@likewoodinc.com' and the website 'www.likewoodinc.com' are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA. 

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Usman Pervez Sheikh whose SRA ID is 375669.

The genuine solicitor Usman Pervez Sheikh has confirmed he does not have any connection to the above website.

The SRA authorises and/or regulates genuine solicitors called Christian Smith, Michael Browne and Marius Boewe none of whom are believed to have any connection to the above website.

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.