Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Carmen Mirela Filimon and Solicitors Regulation Authority

9 May 2024

An email has been sent misusing the names Carmen Mirela Filimon and the SRA regarding supposedly investigating fraudulent activity in order to recover funds from investment fraud.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen an email purporting to be from 'Carmen Mirela Filimon', claiming to be employed at the SRA. The email alleges that the SRA is investigating and recovering funds relating to a company based in Cyprus which had been engaged in fraudulent activities.  The email makes reference to investment fraud and alleges that the recipient of the email has been identified as a client who has incurred losses as a result of the supposed fraud. The email expresses an interest in investigating the case and invites the recipient to provide a telephone number in order to arrange an appointment.  

The email was sent using an email address of 'carmen.filimon@solicitor.ac'. The email provides a postal address of '30 Fenchurch Street EC3M 3AD'.

The email misuses the name and SRA ID of a genuine solicitor (see below).

Any business or transactions through the email address 'carmen.filimon@solicitor.ac' is not undertaken by any individual or firm authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor by the name of Carmen Mirela Filimon and her SRA ID is 522515.

It is believed the genuine solicitor Carmen Mirela Filimon does not have any connection to the email referred to in the above alert.

The SRA does not employ an individual by the name of Carmen Mirela Filimon and has no connection to the email domain @solicitor.ac.

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.