Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name and details of Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

2 September 2026

Emails have been sent misusing the name and details of Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP in relation to making payment for an invoice.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen emails that have been sent as part of a payment diversion fraud, misusing the name and details of a genuine firm (see below).

The emails were sent in relation to payment of an invoice. The sender misused the name of a genuine employee of the firm, with whom the client had previously been corresponding, and provided fraudulent payment instructions.

The emails were sent from the email domain @penninqtonslaw.com. Please note that the letter 'q' has been substituted for the letter 'g' in an apparent attempt to imitate the firm's genuine domain.

The emails also misused the firm's genuine email signature, including the firm's genuine head office address, website, telephone and fax number and their logo

Any business or transaction through the email domain @penninqtonslaw.com 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 called Pennington Manches Cooper LLP (SRA number 419867).

The firm's genuine email domain is @penningtonslaw.com.

The firm have confirmed it has no connection to the email domain @penninqtonslaw.com.

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.