The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in the United Kingdom has issued a warning regarding a new email scam involving fraudulent solicitors demanding Bitcoin payments under threat of releasing compromising videos.
Details of the Scam:
- The scam involves emails purportedly sent from the address “joyti.henchie@attwaters.co,” falsely claiming to have obtained personal data of the recipient.
- The email threatens to disclose damaging videos unless a Bitcoin payment is made.
- It falsely associates itself with the name “Patrice Joyce” and claims affiliation with legitimate firms such as Attwaters Solicitors and Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors.
- The SRA confirmed that no lawyer named Patrice Joyce is authorized or regulated by them.
- The genuine email domains for the legitimate firms end in “@attwaters.co.uk” or “@attwatersjamesonhill.co.uk,” not “@attwaters.co” as used in the scam.
Clarifications by SRA:
- Manjot Kaur Henchie, known as Joyti Henchie, is a real solicitor at Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors but has no connection to the scam.
- The SRA advises recipients of such emails to conduct due diligence by verifying the authenticity of the sender’s identity and contacting the law firm directly through established channels.
Rise of Email Extortion Scams:
- This scam underscores the growing trend of email extortion schemes, particularly those demanding cryptocurrency payments like Bitcoin.
- Similar scams have targeted individuals and businesses in various contexts, including threats related to Google AdSense account suspensions and fabricated claims of possessing compromising information about victims.
Importance of Vigilance:
- The alert serves as a reminder for individuals and businesses to remain vigilant against email scams.
- It highlights the necessity of verifying the legitimacy of any unexpected correspondence, especially when it involves financial demands or threats of reputational harm.
By staying informed and conducting proper verification steps, individuals can better protect themselves against such fraudulent activities leveraging cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for illicit purposes.
