Coinspeaker
UK SRA Warns of Email Scam Demanding Bitcoin from Fake Lawyers
The UK’s legal watchdog, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), is warning the public about a crafty scam targeting unsuspecting individuals. The scheme involves emails impersonating legitimate solicitors and demanding Bitcoin (BTC) payments, threatening to release compromising information.
The scam operates through emails sent from the address “oyti.henchie@attwaters.co”. These emails claim to have access to the recipient’s personal data and threaten to release damaging videos unless a Bitcoin payment is made. The email provides a link to a Bitcoin wallet, which might be a malware trap.
The scam exploits trust by fraudulently using the name “Patrice Joyce” and falsely associating with the real firms Attwaters Solicitors and Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors. The SRA clarifies that no lawyer named Patrice Joyce is authorized or regulated by the organization.
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. 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, uses 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.
A History of Email Extortion
Bitcoin blackmail scams are not a new phenomenon. In 2020, website owners who relied on Google’s AdSense program were targets of a similar email extortion scheme. The scammers actively 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. Fraudsters used blackmail to intimidate people while 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 points out the danger that email scams constantly pose. It is important to remain vigilant against such attempts, particularly when dealing with financial demands that requires cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin.
UK SRA Warns of Email Scam Demanding Bitcoin from Fake Lawyers
