Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Michael John Stevens and the Solicitors Regulation Authority

19 December 2024

An email was sent purporting to be from 'Michael John Stevens' at the Solicitors Regulation Authority in relation to a recovery of funds from cryptocurrency.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email was sent to a member of the public purporting to be from 'Michael John Stevens' at 'UK Solicitor Regulation Authority'. The email was sent in relation to a recovery of funds from cryptocurrency and misuses the name of a genuine individual (please see below).

The email was sent from the email address of 'michaeljohnstevens@legislator.com'. The email signature misuses the name of the genuine solicitor and provides the SRA ID of '2256'. The email also provides the head office address of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The email includes a document which purports to be a claim form, but which is also fake in a number of respects, including having a claim number which is not in the usual court format. The document also misuses the SRA name and head office address.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a genuine firm of solicitors or a genuine individual with the SRA ID number of '2256'.

The SRA does not employ a staff member called 'Michael John Stevens'.

Any business or transaction through the email address of michaeljohnstevens@legislator.com’ is not undertaken by a genuine firm or solicitor.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Michael John Stevens.

The SRA has confirmed that neither it nor Michael John Stevens 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.