Alerts

Warning: Correspondence misusing the name and SRA number of Carla Andreia Barata Santos

1 January 0001

Correspondence misusing the name and SRA number of Carla Andreia Barata Santos, in relation to recovery of money.

What is the scam?

Correspondence via telephone, email and WhatsApp messages have been sent misusing the name and SRA number of a genuine solicitor (see details below) in relation to the recovery of money.

The SRA has been advised that caller falsely advised the recipient of the correspondence that he had been a victim to identity theft and that there were funds in the recipient’s name that the caller would help to retrieve, through the transfer of cryptocurrency (Bitcoin). The conversation carried on through WhatsApp messages and emails.

The emails seen by the SRA are sent by the email address carlasantos@consultsolicitor.com.

The telephone number used to send the WhatsApp messages is +44 7927 668595.

Any business or transaction through the email address or telephone number referred to above is not undertaken by an individual regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Carla Andreia Barata Santos (SRA number 492310).

The genuine Carla Santos has confirmed that they do 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.