Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Holman Fenwick Willan LLP

4 April 2025

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Holman Fenwick Willan LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed emails have been sent misusing the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below) in an attempt of payment diversion.

The SRA has been advised that the recipients of the email were requested to pay funds into an unconnected bank account.

The emails were sent from the domain '@hfw.mom'.

Any business or transactions through the email domain '@hfw.mom' 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 firm of solicitors called Holman Fenwick Willan LLP. The firm uses the domain '@hfw.com'.

The genuine firm of Holman Fenwick Willan LLP has confirmed it does not have any connection to the emails referred to above.

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.