Alerts

Warning: Document and email misusing the name of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors)

31 May 2024

A document and email have been sent misusing the name of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors).

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that a document has been sent by email from an individual called 'John M. Knobel/Noble' claiming to be a 'forensic lawyer' purporting to be from a genuine firm of solicitors in relation to supposedly providing assistance to recover funds lost on transactions made through fraudulent entities. A supposed contract document was provided, alongside requests for money.

The document was sent using an email address of 'johnknobel@celsolicitors.cloud'.

The document and email misuses the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through 'johnknobel@celsolicitors.cloud' are not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited trading as CELThe website is www.celsolicitors.co.uk and the email domain used by the firm is @celsolicitors.co.uk. The telephone number is 01519098212.

The genuine firm of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited has confirmed that they do not have any connection with the alert above and do not employ a staff member called 'John M. Knobel/Noble'.

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.