Alerts

Warning: Telephone calls misusing the name and SRA ID of 'Luke Denton' and emails from 'John Wallace' of 'UK International Clearance'

4 December 2024

Telephone calls have been made to members of the public, falsely claiming to be from 'Luke Denton' regarding a mis-selling payout and emails have been sent using the name 'John Wallace.'

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that telephone calls have been made to members of the public, misusing the name and SRA ID of a genuine solicitor (see below). The caller advised the recipient they were eligible for a mis-selling payout. The recipient was asked to pay a sum of money upfront.

We understand that following the telephone call, emails have been sent. An email seen by the SRA was sent from the email address 'UKInternationalclearance@gmx.co.uk' and advised the recipient that funds had been received in their name from the Madrid High Court. The recipient was asked to respond back to the email if they wished to accept the offer. The email is signed off by a John Wallace (see below) who is referred to as a 'Payment Officer'. The email provides an address of 'Regus Business, Liverpool Street, London, WC1'. The email also has an attachment headed 'International Clearance UK'. Our concern is that the attachment may contain malware.

Any business or transaction through the email address: 'UKInternationalclearance@gmx.co.uk' or the postal address of 'Regus Business, Liverpool Street, London, WC1' 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 solicitor called Luke Andrew Denton with the SRA ID: 660445. Luke Andrew Denton has confirmed that he has no connection to the telephone calls referred to in the above alert.

The SRA authorises and regulates a number of solicitors with the name John Wallace, none of whom are believed to have any connection to the above email.

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.