Alerts

Warning: Correspondence misusing the name and details of Francesco Camilotti and Sir Kingsley Wood Limited

9 October 2026

Correspondence misusing the name and details of Francesco Camilotti and Sir Kingsley Wood Limited.

What is the scam?

Messages and communications, often in Italian, have been sent falsely purporting to be from a genuine solicitor (see below for genuine details). We understand that multiple bogus WhatsApp profiles have been created, with some misusing a genuine image of the genuine solicitor. We understand that telephone numbers used for these bogus profiles or communications include: '+44 7348 178322', '+44 7848 449 690', '+44 7828 970 068', '+44 7454 7346 20', '+44 7848 447 768', '+44 7489 249 579', '+44 7340 883 350', '+44 7456 099 103' and '+44 7446 315 214'.

The SRA understands that the attempted scams have typically involved an impersonator contacting a senior executive at a company, for example a CEO, CFO or General Counsel, and either posing as the genuine lawyer or one of their target's senior colleagues. We understand that the impersonator refers to a supposedly confidential corporate transaction (usually a purported merger or acquisition) and instructs the target to liaise with a spoof email address or an internet domain that is designed to look similar to the genuine domain of the genuine firm (see below for details of the genuine firm).

We have also been informed of bogus web or email addresses being used, using the domains: 'kingsley-wood.uk', 'kingsley-wood.international' and 'kingsley-wood.finance'. We also understand that on occasion false emails have been sent that purport to explain that these different email domains are being used specifically for the purportedly confidential transaction.

Any business or transaction through the contact numbers, WhatsApp profiles or email domains listed above is not undertaken by any 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 Sir Kingsley Wood Limited (SRA ID: 812529), which trades as Kingsley Wood. The genuine contact number for this firm is 020 3551 8042. The firm's genuine email domain is @kingsley-wood.com and its website is also kingsley-wood.com.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Francesco Camilotti (SRA ID: 463310). Francesco Camilotti is a partner at the firm Sir Kingsley Wood Limited.

Sir Kingsley Wood Limited has confirmed that neither it nor Francesco Camilotti has any genuine connection with the communications or contact details referred to in the alert above.

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.