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  4. Emails and documents have been sent purporting to be from Simon Barker and Janes Solicitors LLP

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Warning: Emails and documents have been sent purporting to be from Simon Barker and Janes Solicitors LLP

14 October 2026

Emails and documents have been sent misusing the name of a genuine solicitor and the name and details of a genuine firm of solicitors in relation to the recovery of lost funds.

What is the scam?

The SRA understands that emails and documents have been sent to a member of the public based overseas, purporting to be from Simon Barker (see details below) of a genuine firm of solicitors (see details below).

The emails and documents which have been seen by the SRA, invite the recipient to pay a retainer fee of £2,500 for legal assistance as well as a 2.5% commission payable on the recovered funds.

The SRA has seen emails and documents sent to the recipient, misusing the name and address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see details below) bearing the name and signature of a genuine solicitor (see below) in addition to court and customs documents purporting to be genuine.

The SRA understands the recipient was also invited to sign an 'Agreement Letter' and make an upfront payment via PayPal as part of the scam.

Documents seen by the SRA include the following details:

  • A letterhead bearing the name 'Jane's Solicitors Firm'
  • Telephone numbers '07555832215', '07789622430' and '+447578022972'
  • Email address 'office.janes-solicitors@mail.co.uk'.

The SRA has seen further emails as part of the scam that were sent from 'Barker Briggs'/'Briggs Barker' claiming to be a 'Solicitor Consultant', by which the recipient was invited to a physical meeting for the funds to be released. These further emails were sent from the email address 'BriggsBarkerESQ@hotmail.com' and provided the contact telephone number '+4407555832215' and address 'London SW1P 3JX, United Kingdom'.

The recipient was also provided with details of a website address 'https://lawsocietywales.com/' inviting them to verify the professional qualifications of 'Simon Barker'. This website claims to be founded by 'Simon Matthew Barker' and states that it is affiliated with the Law Society of England and Wales and authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The following contact details are provided on the website:

  • Address - 24 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA
  • Telephone number - '+44 7578 022972'
  • Email address - 'info@lawsocietywales.com'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate any individual with the name 'Barker Briggs'/'Briggs Barker' or any firm of solicitors with the name 'Jane's Solicitors Firm'. The SRA also does not regulate any firm of solicitors with the name 'Law Society Wales'.

Any business or transaction through the email addresses, telephone numbers, documents, website and details referred to in the above scam alert are not undertaken by any individual or firm regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Janes Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 8004805) whose address is Cording House, 34-35 St James Street, London SW1A 1HD. The genuine email domain of the genuine firm is @janes-solicitors.co.uk and the telephone number of the genuine firm is 020 7930 5100.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Simon Matthew Barker (SRA ID: 225298) who is employed at Janes Solicitors LLP.

The genuine firm and the genuine solicitor have confirmed that they do not have any connection to the emails, email addresses, telephone numbers, documents and website referred to in the above alert.

Please note that The Law Society is a genuine professional body for solicitors in England and Wales, and its genuine website is https://lawsociety.org.uk with its Wales office based at The Law Society Wales Office, Capital Tower, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AG.

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.

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