Alerts

Warning: Trademark emails misusing the name of Abbas Yusuf

8 December 2025

Emails regarding purported intellectual property protection matters have been sent, misusing the name of a genuine solicitor Abbas Yusuf.

What is the scam?

A variety of similar bogus correspondence has been sent to businesses, misusing the name of a genuine solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA (see below).

The correspondence informs the recipients that a third party has approached them to register the name and logo of the recipient's business, seeking exclusive rights to their company name. The correspondence invites the recipient to secure trademark registration of their company name first and offers to assist with this process.

The correspondence seen by the SRA misuses the name and SRA number of a genuine solicitor. The correspondence seen was sent from the email address 'abbas@abbasiplegalservices.co.uk' and quotes the name 'Abbas IP Legal Services' and the website address 'abbasiplegalservices.co.uk'

Any business or transaction through the above name 'Abbas IP Legal Services', the email of 'abbas@abbasiplegalservices.co.uk' or the website 'abbasiplegalservices.co.uk' is not undertaken by a firm or solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Abbas Yusuf Ahmed (SRA number: 7027721).

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors with the name 'Abbas IP Legal Services'.

Abbas Yusuf has confirmed that he does not have any connection to the correspondence 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.