Alerts

Warning: Website claiming to be a law firm called 'Alexander Harvey & Co Solicitors'

15 May 2024

A website at 'www.alexandernharvey.co.uk' is operating and claiming to be a law firm called ‘Alexander Harvey & Co Solicitors’ based in London.

What is the scam?

A website at 'www.alexandernharvey.co.uk' is operating and claiming to be a law firm called 'Alexander Harvey & Co Solicitors' based in London.

The website provides a telephone number '+44 800 861 1624', an email address of 'office@alexandernharveys.co.uk' and a postal address of '95 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1DT.

The SRA has also been informed that an individual called 'Andrew Drayton' claiming to be from 'Alexander Harvey & Co Solicitors' contacted a member of the public in relation to a supposed performance bond and requesting the transfer of 10,000 CHF (Swiss Francs) to a bank account in the USA. 

A further email address of 'andrew@alexandersharvery.co.uk' and telephone number of '44 208 040 4557' was provided in correspondence to the recipient together with a photocopy of a passport supposedly confirming Andrew Drayton's identity.

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Alexander Harvey & Co Solicitors' or a solicitor called 'Andrew Drayton'.

Any business or transaction through 'Alexander Harvey & Co Solicitors', 'Andrew Drayton' and the above emails and telephone numbers are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

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.