Alerts

Warning: Correspondence misusing the name of Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd

2 September 2024

Correspondence has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd'.

What is the scam?

It has been brought to the attention of the SRA that an individual has been emailing third parties and posting on Romanian forums, claiming to be a 'lawyer' associated with a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Business cards for 'Ioan Daut' have been seen, including a contact email address of 'ioandout@legislator.com' and bearing the name and address of a genuine firm of solicitors.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate any solicitor named Ioan Daut and any business or transactions through the email address 'ioandout@legislator.com' is 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 firm of solicitors called Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd. Its head office address is Sackville House, 143-149 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 6BL.

The genuine firm has confirmed it does not have any connection to the correspondence 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.