Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Laker Legal Solicitors Ltd

11 December 2024

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Laker Legal Solicitors Ltd and Stephen Ogden, regarding property transactions.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent misusing the name of a genuine individual and firm of solicitors (see below).

The emails were in relation to property transactions and requested payment into an unconnected bank account.

The email address used to send the emails was 'stephen.ogden@lakerlegals.co.uk' (the additional 's' appears to have been added to achieve similarity to the genuine email domain, see below).

Any business or transaction though 'stephen.ogden@lakerlegals.co.uk' 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 of solicitors called Laker Legal Solicitors Ltd. The firm's genuine domain is '@lakerlegal.co.uk'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Stephen Ogden. His genuine email address is stephen.ogden@lakerlegal.co.uk.

The genuine firm has confirmed that neither it, nor the genuine Stephen Ogden have any connection to the emails 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.