Alerts

Warning: Phishing emails falsely claiming to be from Michaela Pancova at Laurus Law Limited.

5 June 2024

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Michaela Pancova at Laurus Law Limited.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from a solicitor at Laurus Law Limited (please see below). The SRA is informed that the email appears to have been sent from the genuine email address of a solicitor at the genuine firm and contains a request to pay a deposit to an unknown bank account.

Another email has also been sent from the domain name 'laurusslaw.co.uk' (similar to that of a genuine firm) purporting to be from Michaela Pancova. The email seen by the SRA asks for a deposit payment to be paid in relation to a purchase of a property.

The SRA has been informed that other emails have also been sent using the domain name 'laurusslaw.co.uk'; 'lauruslavv.co.uk' and 'laursulaw.co.uk'

The fraudulent emails misuse the name and contact details of a genuine firm. They also misused the name of a genuine solicitor.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Laurus Law Limited. The genuine firm's contact number is 0203 1466300 and fax number is 0203 1466301. The firm is located at 30 Dukes Place, London,  EC3A 7LP and the correct domain name for the firm is '@lauruslaw.co.uk'

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Michaela Pancova who is a solicitor of the genuine firm.

The firm have confirmed that neither it nor the genuine Michaela Pancova has 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.