Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Macfarlanes LLP

24 September 2025

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Macfarlanes LLP purporting to be a warning regarding the violation of intellectual property rights.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent falsely purporting to be from a genuine firm of solicitors (see below for genuine details).

The email claims the recipient has infringed on a company's intellectual property. It requests that the recipient click a link labelled "Download PDF Evidence" to see details of the apparent infringement. A concern is that the PDF document may contain malware.

The emails have been sent from the email address 'noreply@appsheet.com', with a subject heading of: 'Intellectual Property Rights Violation Notice' The emails provide the postal addresses of '258 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017', 'Borneostraat 7373, 1094 CT Amsterdam' and 'Boccheriniweg 95, Heidelberg'. They also provide the telephone number and email address for the genuine firm (see below).

Any business or transaction through the addresses 258 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017', 'Borneostraat 7373, 1094 CT Amsterdam' and 'Boccheriniweg 95, Heidelberg 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 Macfarlanes LLP (SRA ID 486980). Its head office address is 20 Cursitor Street, London, EC4A 1LT.

The genuine firm uses the email domain @macfarlanes.com and telephone number +44 20 7831 9222.

The genuine firm has confirmed that it does not have any genuine 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.