Fraudsters send fake ‘Russell-Cooke’ emails demanding urgent bank transfers and Whatsapp replies
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a formal warning after a series of fraudulent emails were sent misusing the name of solicitor Patrick Delas and law firm Russell-Cooke LLP in connection with false payment requests. The alert, published on 14 October 2025, cautions the public about an ongoing scam involving cloned legal identities and fake invoices.
The SRA said the fraudulent messages falsely appear to come from patrick.delas@russellcooke-law.com, an email address that has no connection to the genuine firm. Each email carries a subject line reading “Action Required: Initial Deposit Payment Due Today”, accompanied by an attached invoice. Recipients are instructed to wire transfer funds to the account specified in the document and to send proof of payment via WhatsApp.
According to the warning, the emails also include a contact number: +44 7480 498891. The SRA confirmed that any business conducted using this email address or phone number is not associated with a legitimate solicitor or law firm authorised and regulated by the authority. The regulator emphasised that these emails are part of a sophisticated fraud designed to mislead recipients into transferring money under false pretences.
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The SRA clarified that there is a genuine firm and a real solicitor whose names have been misused. Russell-Cooke LLP, authorised and regulated under SRA ID 465322, is a legitimate and well-established legal practice.The head office is located at 8 Bedford Row, London, WC1R 4BX, and the firm’s authentic contact number is 020 7405 6566.
Patrick Delas, also real, is a solicitor authorised by the SRA under ID 399162 and employed by Russell-Cooke LLP. Both the firm and Mr Delas have confirmed that they have no involvement whatsoever with the fraudulent emails, invoices, or payment requests currently circulating.
The SRA noted that this case is an example of identity cloning, where scammers imitate a legitimate firm or individual to trick victims into making unauthorised payments. The regulator urged members of the public and businesses to exercise caution when receiving unexpected correspondence, particularly those involving money transfers or urgent financial instructions.
Recipients of suspicious messages are advised to take independent steps to confirm authenticity. The safest approach is to contact the law firm directly using established and verified channels rather than responding to the details provided in the suspect communication. Verification can also be done by checking the SRA’s online register, which lists all authorised firms and individuals currently regulated in England and Wales.
The SRA’s alert further recommends additional due diligence when cloned identities are suspected. This may include checking public directories, company records, or using official contact numbers published by the firm in question. Relying solely on information contained in an unsolicited email could expose individuals or businesses to financial loss.
Russell-Cooke LLP and Mr Delas have reiterated their detachment from the fraudulent messages and confirmed that their official contact details remain unchanged. The firm continues to warn clients to be vigilant for any communication that appears unusual, particularly those requesting funds or containing unfamiliar account details.
Anyone who has received such an email or believes they may have fallen victim to this scam should report the matter immediately to the SRA and the relevant authorities. Early reporting helps prevent further incidents and assists regulators in tracking ongoing criminal activity targeting the legal sector.
The SRA concluded its warning by reminding the public that legitimate law firms do not request payments or confirmations through social messaging apps such as WhatsApp. Any message demanding immediate payment or providing alternative bank details without prior contact should be treated as suspicious and independently verified before taking action.