Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Clifford Chance LLP

24 February 2026

An email has been sent purporting to be from a genuine law firm in relation to recovering frozen and/or inactive cryptocurrency funds.

What is the scam?

The SRA understands that an email has been sent to a member of the public by an individual purporting to be 'Martin Hubert' of Clifford Chance LLP (see genuine details below) and offering services relating to the purported recovery of cryptocurrency funds.

The email was sent from the email address 'martin.hubert@jurisexpert.uk' and the sender was 'Martin Hubert', who is claiming to be a solicitor at Clifford Chance LLP. The recipient was encouraged to pay an upfront fee for assistance with recovering cryptocurrency funds.

The email includes a 'Certificat d'Expertise Juridique' which quotes the SRA number for Clifford Chance LLP (447778), the telephone numbers '+442046000768' and '+44 7380 37895', the address 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ, Royaume-Uni, and the email address 'info@sra.org.uk'.

The SRA does not regulate an individual called 'Martin Hubert'.

Any business or transaction through the email address, contact numbers or postal address referred to above are not undertaken by an individual or firm regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of Solicitors called Clifford Chance LLP (SRA number 447778).

Clifford Chance LLP has confirmed that they have no connection to the certificate, email, telephone numbers or addresses referred to above. They do not employ an individual called 'Martin Hubert'.

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.