Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Giordano Suergiu and Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

10 March 2025

An email has been sent misusing the names of Giordano Suergiu and Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent falsely claiming to be from a genuine solicitor at a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The SRA has been informed that the email requested the recipient to complete a POA template and provide ID documents. It also suggested that the sender would then pursue recovery action for the recipient and other individuals.

The email was sent from the email address of 'giordano.s@peningtonslaw.com'. The SRA is informed that the email also misused the genuine logo of the genuine firm (see below).

Any business or transaction through 'giordano.s@peningtonslaw.com' 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 Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP and a genuine solicitor at the firm called Giordano Suergiu.

The firm's genuine email domain ends with @penningtonslaw.com.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP and Giordano Suergiu have confirmed that they do not have any connection to the email 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.