Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name and SRA number of Steven John
22 October 2024
Emails have been sent to a member of the public falsely claiming to be from Steve John in relation to the supposed recovery of funds.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent to a member of the public falsely claiming to be from Steve John (see below) in relation to the supposed recovery of funds.
The emails seen by the SRA have been sent from the email address 'stevejohn@legislator.com' and misuse the name and SRA ID of a genuine solicitor, as well as the postal address of both the Solicitors Regulation Authority and genuine law firms (see below) .
The recipient in one email is advised that a supposed entity has established a method to recover back funds they have previously lost and is provided with confirmation that the supposed entity is able to purportedly recover back payments made via cryptocurrency. The recipient is advised that legal fees are required and that they would receive their funds plus 10% compensation.
In another email seen by the SRA the recipient is advised to make payment and bank details are provided. The recipient is also advised to send over their bank account details for the account they wish to receive their settlement to.
Any business or transaction through the email address 'stevejohn@legislator.com' is not undertaken by any individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a solicitor by the name of Steven John, with the SRA number: 358758. The genuine Steven John has confirmed that he has no connection to the above matter.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has three offices: Our headquarters are at The Cube, 199 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RN. Our website address is www.sra.org.uk.
The SRA authorises and regulates various genuine firms with an office address of 71 – 75 Shelton Street, London, WC2H 9JQ. The SRA also authorises genuine solicitors who work from an office at that address, either for one of the SRA regulated firms or for an organisation that is not regulated by the SRA. None of these genuine firms or solicitors are believed to have any connection to the emails or correspondence 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.