Alerts

Warning: An email, telephone calls and WhatsApp messages purporting to be from Anthony Baines of Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors LLP

10 July 2026

An email, telephone calls and WhatsApp messages were sent to members of the public purporting to be from Anthony Baines of Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors LLP, requesting personal information and to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent as well as telephone calls and WhatsApp messages to members of the public purporting to be from a genuine solicitor (see details below) of a genuine firm of solicitors (see details below).

The email was sent from 'Anthony.baines@crombiewilkinson.net' purporting to be a genuine solicitor (see details below) inviting the recipient to provide personal information and to sign a non-disclosure agreement. The recipient was also allegedly solicited for payment.

The calls were made from the telephone number '+34 677456419' and the WhatsApp messages were sent from '07346582629'.

The SRA has been informed that a bogus website was also operating at 'www.crombiewilkinson.net'. The website appears to have now been taken down by the host domain.

Any business or transaction through the above email address, telephone numbers and website 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 solicitor called Anthony Baines, whose SRA ID is 272889.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors LLP (SRA number 538004). The genuine firms head office address is Clifford House, 19 Clifford Street, York, YO1 9RJ. The genuine email domain for the firm is @crombiewilkinson.co.uk, telephone number is 01904624185 and its genuine website is www.crombiewilkinson.co.uk.

The genuine firm has confirmed that neither it nor the genuine solicitor is connected to the correspondence or contact details 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.