Alerts

Warning: Emails and WhatsApp messages misusing the name and SRA number of Peter Williams

4 September 2026

Emails and WhatsApp messages have been sent misusing the name and SRA number of Peter Williams in relation to recovering lost cryptocurrency funds.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been notified that emails and WhatsApp messages have been sent misusing the name and SRA number of a genuine solicitor (see details below).

The emails and WhatsApp messages were sent purporting to be from the genuine solicitor to assist with recovering lost cryptocurrency funds.

The emails were sent from the email address ‘peter.williamss1133@gmail.com’. From the documents seen by the SRA, the recipient was requested to pay a commission payment to assist with recovery of the cryptocurrency funds.

The SRA has also seen a document which was sent to a member of the public as part of the scam bearing the name of a bank purporting to be genuine claiming to show the transfer of the lost cryptocurrency funds.

The SRA has been informed that the following contact numbers were used as part of the scam to make contact with members of the public, including a member of the public based overseas: '+447377773319', '+44 333041 5298', '+44 7782 220473', '+44 20 80735654', '+4433191163'.

WhatsApp messages were sent from a WhatsApp account with the number '+44 7919 729883' which used a bogus profile picture falsely purporting to be the genuine solicitor (see details below). The WhatsApp messages seen by the SRA also show that the genuine solicitor’s SRA number and admission date were provided.

Any business or transactions through the email, WhatsApp account and contact details above are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised or regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Peter Williams whose SRA ID is 478047.

The genuine solicitor Peter Williams has confirmed that he does not have any connection to the email address, WhatsApp messages or contact numbers 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.