Alerts
Warning: Documents claiming to be from 'Gulf International Law Office'
20 November 2024
Documents have been sent to members of the public from 'Gulf International Law Office', in relation to supposed recovery of lost monies.
What is the scam?
The SRA have been advised that documents have been sent to an individual, falsely claiming to be from 'Abdelrahman Sherif' at 'Gulf International Law Office' regarding a supposed recovery of lost monies.
The SRA has seen a document claiming to be a 'Confidentiality Agreement and International Contract' for 'Gulf International Law Office'. It gives an address in 'Bedlam Mews London, United Kingdon, SE11 6DF', telephone number '+44 203 218 9393' and the email address 'info@gulfinternational-law.com'. It misuses the name and SRA identification number of a genuine solicitor (see below).
The SRA has also seen documents claiming to be sent from HM Courts and Tribunals Service. The first document claims that 'Gulf International Law Office Ltd' is instructed in the matter, that the 'Claim' is 'Approved' and 'stamped' by the 'Money Claims Centre'. A second document claims to be an 'Approved Judgment', which again claims that 'Gulf International Law Office Ltd' are instructed. The SRA has also been provided with a copy of a Claim Form misusing the name of a genuine solicitor (see below) of 'Gulf International Law Firm LTD'. This latter document gives the addresses in 'Bedlam Mews, London, United Kingdon, SE11 6DF' and '24 Holborn Viaduct, London, England, EC1A 2BN'.
It is also understood that there was a website of 'gulfinternational-law.com' operating.
The SRA have also seen an image of a supposed passport that was sent to the recipient purporting to verify the identity of 'Abdelrahman Shrf'.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a genuine firm of solicitors called 'Gulf International Law Office'.
Any business or transaction through 'Gulf International Law Office', 'Gulf International Law Office Ltd' or 'Gulf International Law Firm Ltd', or the telephone number '+44 203 218 9393' or the website of 'gulfinternational-law.com' is not undertaken by a solicitor or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Abdelrahman Sherif. The genuine Abdelrahman Sherif has confirmed that he has no connection to the documents or passport image 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.