Alerts
Warning: 'Keygate Group' website misusing the address of Fladgate LLP and details of solicitors from Fladgate LLP
11 November 2024
A website at 'www.keygategroup.com' is operating and misusing the address of Fladgate LLP. It also misuses names and photos of solicitors from Fladgate LLP.
What is the scam?
The SRA has seen a website at 'www.keygategroup.com' which is operating and claiming to be a law firm called 'Keygate Group'.
The SRA has been advised that emails were also sent to a member of the public from 'nicholassmith@keygategroup.com'.
The SRA does not authorise and regulate a law firm called 'Keygate Group'.
The bogus website misuses the names and photos of genuine solicitors (see below). It provides an address of '#15, Great Queen Street, London WC2B 4DG'.
The bogus website provides an email address of 'info@keygategroup.com' and a telephone number of '+44 207-097-8860'.
Any business or transaction through the above contact details 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 genuine firm of solicitors called Fladgate LLP.
The genuine firm's office address is 16 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5DG. (Note that the address of the genuine firm is 16 Great Queen Street whereas the address listed on the bogus website is '15 Great Queen Street'. Similarly, the postcode of the genuine firm is WC2B 5DG whereas the postcode listed on the bogus website is 'WC2B 4DG').
The genuine firm's email address is marketing@fladgate.com, its website is www.fladgate.com and its telephone number is +44 (0)20 3036 7000.
The SRA also authorises and regulates genuine solicitors called Eleanor Jane Green, Judith Amanda Davidge, Ian David Smith, Marc Norman Sosnow, Tessa Victoria Trevelyan Thomas and Ekaterina Vagner who are solicitors at the genuine firm.
The SRA also authorises and regulates Kezia Rachel Daley, who is a solicitor that used to work at the genuine firm.
The genuine firm and the genuine Eleanor Jane Green, Judith Amanda Davidge, Ian David Smith, Marc Norman Sosnow, Tessa Victoria Trevelyan Thomas Ekaterina Vagner and Kezia Rachel Daley have confirmed they have no connection to the website referred to in the above alert.
The SRA also authorises and regulates several genuine solicitors called Nicholas Smith, none of whom are believed to have any connection to the website 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.