Alerts
Warning: WhatsApp messages and telephone calls misusing the name of Christopher Bates and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer (UK) LLP
5 August 2025
Telephone calls and WhatsApp messages misusing the name of Christopher Bates and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer (UK) LLP in relation to purported Non-Disclosure Agreements.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that members of the public have been approached on LinkedIn by an individual calling themselves 'Luke Langford'. The individual then directs them to contact Christopher Bates from 'Arnold & Porter' on WhatsApp to request the Non-Disclosure Agreement (details of the genuine solicitor and genuine firm of solicitors is below). The phone numbers associated with the messages are '+ 44 7787 832 615' and '+ 1 (267) 668 9029'.
The SRA has been informed that telephone calls may have also been made to individuals purporting to be from Christopher Bates. The SRA further understands that WhatsApp messages have also been sent from various individuals, and that telephone calls may also have been made, asking the recipient to then contact Christopher Bates via WhatsApp. The SRA understands that “+44 7386 136 422” is a telephone number that has been used for these purposes.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called Luke Langford.
Any business or transaction through the telephone numbers above or the individual Luke Langford 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 Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer (UK) LLP. The genuine contact number for their head office is '02077 866 100' and their genuine website is 'www.arnoldporter.com'.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Christopher Bates who is employed as a Senior Associate at the genuine firm (details above). His genuine contact details can be found on the firm's genuine website.
The genuine firm of solicitors and the genuine Christopher Bates have confirmed that they have no connection to any of the details referred to in this 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.