Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name Jakob Friedman

3 September 2026

An email has been sent misusing the name Jakob Friedman, in relation to a Guarda cryptocurrency wallet.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent to a member of the public misusing the name of a genuine solicitor (see details below).

The email relates to a cryptocurrency fraud involving a purported Guarda Wallet issue. The sender of the email initially received an email from an individual impersonating a Guarda representative, who falsely claimed that funds held in a wallet could be recovered through an 'un-merge process' and reassured the victim that the funds were secure. The email was then forwarded on to the member of the public from the individual claiming to be Jakob Friedman.

The email address used was jakob.f@solicitorservices.org

Any business or transaction through the above email address 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 solicitor called Jakob Friedman (SRA number 618559).

Mr Friedman has confirmed he does not have any connection to the correspondence or the email address 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.