Alerts

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

13 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.

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.