Regulator issues warning over magic circle mimic
A Colombian law firm has “falsely” described itself as an “agent” for global giant Linklaters in correspondence concerning an arbitration.
According to a scam alert published on the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) website, “AP & Asociados” — which claims to be a legal outfit based in Colombia — sent a number of letters in which it described itself as being affiliated with the magic circle firm. A South American engineering firm called “AP Associates” is in no way connected to the letters.
The correspondence — which referenced an arbitration matter — contained the magic circle outfit’s name in its headings. Notices at the bottom of the letters referred to the Colombian firm as “AP & P LLP”. Describing itself as being from an “agent for Linklaters LLP US South America & Caribbean,” one of the letters was sent from the email address “UDRP@linklaters.us”.
Linklaters has confirmed that it has no connection to the Colombian firm.
This isn’t the first time scammers have targeted the legal sector. Last month the UK Supreme Court was forced to issue a warning over sham subpoenas. The emails, which told recipients that they were “invited to the law court by the judge because of crime commitment,” contained numerous spelling errors. The internet-wrongens did not state which one of the eleven justices “the judge” is.
If you receive a 'subpoena' email like this, delete it without clicking any link – we don't issue this type of order https://t.co/iBxsRmVZCB pic.twitter.com/Bsp9TG9VFC
— UK Supreme Court (@UKSupremeCourt) February 9, 2017
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