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HSF responds to fake emails scam

Global firm Herbert Smith Freehills has issued a response to notices that emails had been sent to organisations falsely claiming to be from the UK-based arm of the firm.

user iconJerome Doraisamy • 19 July 2018 • Big Law
fake email scams, HSF
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The Solicitors Regulation Authority issued notices advising the general public that emails had been sent, falsely claiming to be from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, referring to “an attached legal expense, relating to legal work” carried out by the sender.

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Those invoices set out a fee summary and bank details where the recipient of the fake emails should send the money and asked the recipients to arrange for same day payment and issue confirmation of payment being made.

The emails appear to have been sent from the following email addresses: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In addition, fake emails were also issued on behalf of  “Andrew Lidbetter” (a genuine solicitor with HSF) and “Herbert Smith LLP”, with the issuer referring to the claiming of a will testament.

The emails sent purporting to represent the above person and entity came from the following addresses: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The SRA said that any business or transactions from these identities, using the emails listed, “are not undertaken by a solicitor’s practice or an individual authorised and regulated”.

“The genuine firm Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has confirmed to the SRA that is does not have any connection with the email[s].”

In a statement, the HSF said: “We confirm that the firm and any relevant individuals have no connection with these emails which misused our names.”

“Similar to others which have been impacted, we reported the incidents to the relevant authorities.”

Jerome Doraisamy

Jerome Doraisamy

Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.

You can email Jerome at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

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