Summary:
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in the UK has issued a warning about a new scam involving emails from fake lawyers demanding Bitcoin payments.
These emails falsely claim to be from the legitimate firm Attwaters Solicitors, use the name "Patrice Joyce" and threaten to release damaging videos unless a Bitcoin (BTC) payment is made.
The emails include a link to a Bitcoin wallet, which may contain malware.
The SRA confirmed that it does not authorize or regulate a lawyer named Patrice Joyce.
The genuine firm’s email domains end in “@attwaters.co.uk” or “@attwatersjamesonhill.co.uk.”
The SRA advises individuals to conduct due diligence if they receive suspicious correspondence.
Fake Lawyers Demanding Bitcoin: UK Regulator Issues Warning ⚠️
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in the UK has issued a warning about a new scam involving emails from fake lawyers demanding Bitcoin payments. These emails, claiming to be from the legitimate firm Attwaters Solicitors, use the name "Patrice Joyce" and threaten to release damaging videos unless a Bitcoin (BTC) payment is made.
The scam:
- The email claims to have copied all of the recipient's personal data and threatens to release damaging videos unless a Bitcoin payment is made.
- The email includes a link to a Bitcoin wallet, which may contain malware.
- The email falsely uses the name "Patrice Joyce" and claims to be associated with the legitimate firms Attwaters Solicitors and Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors.
- The SRA confirmed that it does not authorize or regulate a lawyer named Patrice Joyce.
The Real Story:
- The genuine firm’s email domains end in “@attwaters.co.uk” or “@attwatersjamesonhill.co.uk.”
- Manjot Kaur Henchie, known as Joyti, the bearer of the name used in the email address, is a genuine solicitor working at the legitimate firm Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors. Both the firm and Henchie have confirmed they have no connection to the scam email.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be vigilant: If you receive a suspicious email demanding payment, especially in cryptocurrency, do not click on any links or attachments.
- Verify: Contact the law firm directly through reliable means to confirm the email's authenticity.
- Check: Verify the individual or firm's authorization with the SRA.
This is not the first time we've seen this type of scam. In 2019, a similar scam targeted website owners using Google’s AdSense program, demanding Bitcoin to prevent an attack. In 2020, New Zealand law enforcement warned about a cryptocurrency scam where fraudsters blackmailed victims by claiming to possess information about their online activities and demanded a Bitcoin ransom.
The SRA's alert serves as a reminder to be cautious about email scams and to always verify the legitimacy of any request for payment, especially when dealing with cryptocurrencies.
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