Alerts
Warning: Email from 'attwaters․co'
7 July 2024
An email has been sent from '@attwaters․co' demanding payment in bitcoin.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent claiming to have copied all of the recipient's personal data, and threatening to distribute damaging videos of them unless the recipient made a payment in bitcoin.
The email contains a link to a 'bitcoin wallet'. A concern is that the link may contain malware.
The email appears to be sent from 'Patrice Joyce' using the email address 'joyti.henchie@attwaters.co'.
The email misuses the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below), and the name of a genuine solicitor at the firm (see below).
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called Patrice Joyce.
Any business or transaction through the email domain '@attwaters.co' 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 genuine firms of solicitors called Attwaters Solicitors LLP, and Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors.
The firm’s genuine email domain ends in @attwaters.co.uk or @attwatersjamesonhill.co.uk.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Manjot Kaur Henchie, known as Joyti, who works at the genuine firm.
The genuine firm of solicitors have confirmed that neither the firm nor Manjot Kaur Henchie have a genuine and intended connection to the email 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.