Scam Emails Impersonating Attwaters Solicitors

The Solicitors Regulation Authority warns that emails with the domain “@attwaters.co” are not from legitimate firms or individuals they regulate.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a warning regarding emails claiming to be from “@attwaters.co” addresses. The SRA emphasizes that genuine emails from these firms will use “@attwaters.co.uk” or “@attwatersjamesonhill.co.uk” domains.

The scam involves emails impersonating solicitors and demanding Bitcoin (BTC) payments, threatening to release compromising information. These emails are sent from the address “oyti.henchie@attwaters.co” and claim to have access to the recipient's personal data. The emails threaten to release damaging videos unless a Bitcoin payment is made. They also provide a link to a Bitcoin wallet, which may be a malware trap.

The scam exploits trust by using the name “Patrice Joyce” and falsely associating with the real firms Attwaters Solicitors and Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors. However, the SRA clarifies that no lawyer named Patrice Joyce is authorized or regulated by the organization.

The SRA emphasizes that emails with the domain “@attwaters.co” are not from legitimate firms or individuals they regulate. Real communication from these firms will have email addresses ending in “@attwaters.co.uk” or “@attwatersjamesonhill.co.uk”.

The email might mention “Joyti.henchie,” but be aware that Manjot Kaur Henchie, a real solicitor at Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors, goes by the name Joyti. Both the firm and Ms. Henchie have confirmed they are not involved in these scam emails.

The SRA advises caution with unsolicited emails. Verify the email's legitimacy by contacting the law firm directly through a trusted channel, like a phone number you know is correct. You can also check the SRA's records to see if the lawyer or firm is authorized.

Bitcoin blackmail scams have been around for some time. In 2020, website owners who used Google's AdSense program were targeted by a similar email extortion scheme. The scammers threatened victims with account suspension and demanded Bitcoin payments in exchange for supposed protection against a fabricated attack.

This year, New Zealand law enforcement reported another instance of fraudsters using blackmail to intimidate people, claiming to possess details about their online pornography-watching times. They demanded Bitcoin ransoms, threatening to reveal their alleged porn use if they refused to pay.

The recent alert from the UK regulator highlights the ongoing danger posed by email scams. It is crucial to remain vigilant against such attempts, especially when dealing with financial demands that require cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin.