Alerts

Warning: Emails sent misusing the name of Ropes & Gray International LLP

12 September 2024

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Ropes & Gray International LLP (Ropes & Gray) in relation to supposed recovery of lost funds.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent from one or more individuals falsely claiming to be sent from Olivia Bennett, Eve Ellis, Sarah Lambert-Porter, Amanda Raad, Caroline Easterfield and 'RopesGray Recruiting' in relation to the supposed recovery of funds lost to various scams.

The SRA understands that the emails were sent using the email addresses 'Olivia.bennett@ropesgray.international', 'eva.ellis@ropesgray.international', 'Sarah.lambert-porter@ropesgray.international', 'amanda,raad@ropesgray.international', 'caroline.easterfield@ropesgray.international' and 'caroline.easterfield@ropesgray.center'.

In relation to Caroline Easterfield, the telephone number '+34 691 835 054' was provided. In relation to Sarah Lambert-Porter, the telephone number '+34 651 991 926' and the website 'cfd.capital-alpha.co' were also provided.

The SRA has also seen an email purporting to be sent from the genuine firm of solicitors (please see below). The email included a stamped document purporting to be a legal contract and provided a telephone number of '447481263158'. The stamped document misused the name of the genuine firm of solicitors and the firm's genuine SRA ID. The email containing the stamped document was sent using the email address of 'eva.ellis@ropesgray.international'.

The SRA has also been made aware of an advert circulating on Instagram which states 'Ropes and Gray could help recover money for victims of scams.' The genuine law firm has advised that this is not a service it offers and does not practise in this area of law.

Any business or transactions through the email addresses of 'Olivia.bennett@ropesgray.international', 'Sarah.lambert-porter@ropesgray.international', 'eva.ellis@ropesgray.international', 'amanda,raad@ropesgray.international', 'caroline.easterfield@ropesgray.international' or 'caroline.easterfield@ropesgray.center', the telephone numbers of ''447481263158', '+34 691 835 054' and '+34 651 991 926', and the website 'cfd.capital-alpha.co' is 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 Ropes & Gray International LLP. The email domain used by the genuine firm and each of its genuine employees is @ropesgray.com.

The SRA also authorises and regulates individuals called Olivia Kate Bennett, Eve Louise Ellis, Sarah Victoria Lambert-Porter and Amanda Nicole Raad and who are each employed at the genuine firm of solicitors. Caroline Easterfield is a registered trainee at the genuine firm of solicitors.

Ropes & Gray International LLP has confirmed that neither it nor its genuine employees have any connection to the emails referred to in the above alert.

Update 1 October 2024

The SRA has been informed that further contact has been made from an individual claiming to be 'Olivia Bennett' in relation to the supposed recovery of funds lost to cryptocurrency.

The recipient was provided with a copy of Olivia Bennett's biography. This appears to have been taken from the genuine firm's website but altered to provide a fraudulent email address of 'olivia.bennett@ropesgray.center' and removing her genuine direct telephone number.

The SRA has also been advised of a snapshot of a Telegram account, which appears to show that that the genuine firm's genuine telephone and fax number had been used by the individual perpetrating the scam, however it is believed that both the genuine firm's telephone and fax number has been spoofed.

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'olivia.bennett@ropesgray.center' is not undertaken by a genuine solicitor authorised or regulated by the SRA.

The genuine telephone number for the firm is 020 3201 1500 and fax number is 202 32011501. The genuine firm's website is www.ropesgray.com.

Ropes & Gray International LLP and Olivia Bennett have confirmed that they do not have any connection to the emails or telephone calls referred to in the above alert.

Update 8 October 2024

The SRA has been informed that further contact has been made from an individual claiming to be 'Eve Ellis' using an email address of eva.ellis@ropesgray.center' in relation to the supposed recovery of funds.

The WhatsApp and Telegram number of '447481263158' and a telephone number of '34930302795' was provided.

The SRA understands that further contact has been made using the email address 'caroline.easterfield@ropesgray.center' reported in the above alert.

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'eva.ellis@ropesgray.center', or the numbers '447481263158' and '34930302795' are not undertaken by a genuine solicitor authorised or regulated by the SRA.

Ropes & Gray International LLP has confirmed that neither it nor its genuine employees have any connection to the emails and telephone numbers referred to in the above alert.

Update 9 October 2024

The SRA has been informed that further contact has been made from an individual claiming to be 'Caroline Easterfield' in relation to the supposed recovery of funds lost to a scam.

An email from 'caroline.easterfield@ropesgraycenter' was sent to the recipient, requesting they provide 'all the documentation you have about scammers where you have lost money'. A telephone number of +44 741 4885594 was provided.

Any business or transaction through the email address of ' caroline.easterfield@ropesgraycenter' or telephone number '+44 741 4885594' is not undertaken by a genuine solicitor authorised or regulated by the SRA.

The genuine telephone number for the firm is 020 3201 1500 and fax number is 202 32011501. The genuine firm's website is www.ropesgray.com. Ropes & Gray International LLP and Caroline Easterfield have confirmed that they do not have any connection to the emails or telephone calls referred to in the above alert.

Update 5 November 2024

The SRA has been informed that further contact has been made from an individual claiming to be 'Amanda Raad' in relation to supposed recovery of funds.

The recipient was provided with a letter supposedly issued by a bank, in connection with 'Blockchain Ltd'. The letter stated that the lawyer assigned is 'Amanda Raad' and the firm assigned is 'Ropes & Gray'. A telephone number of '+44 745 568 9052' was provided.

The SRA has also been advised that another member of the public was contacted using an email address of 'Amanda.raad@legistum.agency', they were asked to send a commission payment of Euro 5,000 in order to assist with a Euro 1,000,000 amount that was restricted in blockchain. The above telephone number was also provided.

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'Amanda.raad@legistum.agency' or telephone number '+44 745 568 9052' are not undertaken by a genuine solicitor authorised or regulated by the SRA.

Ropes & Gray International LLP and Amanda Raad have confirmed that they do not have any connection to the email or telephone number 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.