Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Farrer & Co LLP and Grania Baird

27 January 2025

An email has been sent misusing the name of Farrer & Co LLP and Grania Baird, regarding supposed financial fraud.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent to a member of the public claiming to be from a genuine solicitor at a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The email seen by the SRA is written in Spanish and has a subject line including 'Request for research collaboration'. The email advises the recipient that some financial irregularities are being investigated and they require further information.

The email was sent from the email address 'support@farrer-co.link'. The email misuses the name and address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through the email address 'support@farrer-co.link' 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 Farrer & Co LLP. Its head office address is 66 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LH. Emails from the genuine firm use the domain '@farrer.co.uk'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Grania Baird who is a solicitor at Farrer & Co LLP.

The genuine firm of Farrer & Co LLP has confirmed that neither it, nor its Grania Baird have any connection to the email 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.