SRA sees increase in bogus lawfirms

Posted By: James

Thursday 21st August 2014

The Mirror’s Andrew Penman investigates the top scams used by gangs posing as lawyers. The SRA says it is getting increasingly frequent reports of fake law firms - as many as one a day. Mr Penman points to Dovernor Chambers, a sham law firm which uses text and pictures on its website lifted from legitimate firms’ sites. IHT is a top scam used by fake lawyers such as Charles Gipson & Jose Owens Executive Chambers which demands upfront payment of fees to release a share in a non-existent share of a relative’s estate. The name of Farrer & Co, a real law firm, was used as part of a lottery scam and Optima Legal was used by crooks offering compensation for accidents while emails that appeared to be from Mayer Brown warned people they faced being evicted. Addleshaw Goddard was also used by criminals purporting to be a charitable trust. Mr Penman advises people to contact the SRA if they are in any doubt about a law firm.

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