Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Linklaters LLP

9 October 2024

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Linklaters LLP.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent to members of the public claiming to be from a genuine firm of solicitors (see below). The emails notify the recipient of a copyright infringement and requests them to open an attachment if they believe the copyright infringement did not happen.

The emails were sent from the following email addresses; malaysiaheavenk@gmail.com, lanikraft@gmail.com and atheathena91@gmail.com.

Any business or transactions through malaysiaheavenk@gmail.com, lanikraft@gmail.com and atheathena91@gmail.com are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

It should be noted that the scam emails are not limited to the email addresses provided above and may also come from other email addresses.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Linklaters LLP. The genuine firm's head office is at One Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8HQ. The genuine firm's email domain is '@linklaters.com'.

Linklaters LLP has confirmed it does not have 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.