Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Edward Watt and Addleshaw Goddard LLP

31 March 2025

An email has been sent misusing the name of Edward Watt and Addleshaw Goddard LLP in relation to payment of an invoice.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent misusing the name of a genuine firm and the name and contact details of a genuine Registered Foreign Lawyer (see below).

The email seen by the SRA falsely informs the recipient that the firm was experiencing issues with their bank account and so payment should be made to an alternative bank account in order to pay the invoice. The SRA understands that the email and provision of alternative bank account details was an attempt at payment diversion fraud.

The email was sent from the email address 'Ed.Watt@addieshawgoddard.com' (note the 'i' instead of the 'l').

Any business or transaction through the email address 'Ed.Watt@addieshawgoddard.com' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Addleshaw Goddard LLP. The genuine firm's email domain is addleshawgoddard.com.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a Registered Foreign Lawyer called Edward Watt who is a Partner at the genuine firm Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

The genuine firm Addleshaw Goddard LLP has confirmed that neither it, nor Edward Watt have any connection to the emails 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.