Alerts

Warning: Emails from Gowling WLG (Paris) LLP

16 July 2025

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Marianne Schaffner and Gowling WLG (Paris) LLP.

What is the scam?

Members of the public have received emails purporting to be from Marianne Schaffner at Gowling WLG (Paris) LLP regarding alleged violations of intellectual property rights and entitled 'Notification of Intellectual Property Infringement'.

The email content refers to 'serious violations of intellectual property rights related to your account, involving the unauthorized use of Ed Banger Records' assets'. The correspondence further invites the recipient to click on a link to download a file relating to copyright infringement.

The emails seen by the SRA purporting to be from Gowling WLG (Paris) LLP are signed off by an individual purporting to be a genuine SRA authorised and regulated Registered Foreign Lawyer (RFL) named Marianne Schaffner (see details below). The fraudulent emails misuse the name of the genuine Marianne Schaffner, the name of the genuine firm Gowling WLG (Paris) LLP, the genuine telephone contact number for the lawyer + 33 (0)6 09 98 20 67, and her genuine image from the genuine firm's website.

The emails have been sent from the following email addresses 'ruialves711@gmail.com', 'phucngou2v7lk2en@gmail.com' and 'dongphann6rajw320k@gmail.com'.

Any business or transaction through the above email addresses 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 Gowling WLG (Paris) LLP. The genuine firm's office address in Paris is 38 Avenue de l'Opera, 75002, Paris, France. The firm's genuine email domain is @gowlingwlg.com or @fr.gowlingwlg.com and its website address is 'www.gowlingwlg.com'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine Registered Foreign Lawyer by the name of Marianne Schaffner, whose SRA ID is 539783. The email address of the genuine Marianne Schaffner is 'marianne.schaffner@gowlingwlg.com', her genuine contact number is + 33 (0)6 09 98 20 67 and these contact details can be located on the genuine firm's website (see above).

The genuine firm of solicitors and the genuine Registered Foreign Lawyer Marianne Schaffner have both confirmed that they have no genuine connection to the emails referred to in the above alert or any connection with an Ed Banger Records.

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.