Alerts

Warning: Documents misusing the name of 'BA International Solicitors' and 'Linda Ali' and also misusing the details of other genuine firms and solicitors

23 May 2025

Documents misusing the name of 'BA International Solicitors' and 'Linda Ali' have been sent falsely using the names and SRA ID numbers of genuine solicitors and firms regarding the purported recovery of funds.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that documents have been sent falsely using the names and SRA ID numbers of genuine solicitors and firms regarding the purported recovery of funds. The correspondence relates to the supposed recovery of funds lost to electronic trading. The recipient was provided with correspondence claiming to be from a financial regulator and also an international bank. The recipient was asked to provide money to 'unfreeze' the accounts, plus a further amount "as taxes".

Among the documents provided, and seen by the SRA, was a copy of:

1. a supposed; 'legal undertaking' misusing the name and SRA ID of a genuine solicitor. The undertaking also referred to the SRA ID of a genuine firm and the name of a genuine solicitor, as well as the SRA ID of a closed firm (see below). The document is on letterheaded paper claiming to be for 'Linda Ali Lawyer Office' and appears to be also translated into Arabic and provides the telephone numbers '+44 2078711233' and '+44 7716649244' the email address 'info@lindalawyer.co' and a postal address of 10 Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2SL (see below).
2. a photograph of a British passport for the supposed Imran 'Mahmod' Rashid (see below the name of a genuine solicitor with a similar name).
3. a 'lawyer-client agreement' providing the name of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name and SRA ID of a genuine solicitor (see below).

The SRA has been advised that the recipient was contacted by the WhatsApp numbers '+44 7599 037122', '+44 7907 765131' and '+44 7936 927341'.

The SRA has also been advised of a website operating at 'www.lindaali.com'. The website provides the postal address of 'Riverside Building, County Hall, London, SE1 7PB' (see below). The SRA has also seen a copy of a supposed 'lawyer-client agreement' misusing the genuine solicitor's name (see below).

Any business or transaction, through the above email address, telephone numbers, WhatsApp numbers and website address is not undertaken by a firm or solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Linda Ali with the SRA ID 7008216. The genuine Linda Ali has confirmed that she has no connection to the documentation and correspondence referred to in the above alert.  

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Imran Mahmood Rashid with the SRA ID: 516495. The genuine Imran Mahmood Rashid is believed to have no connection to the above alert.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Imran & Co Solicitors Ltd with the SRA ID 8006961. Imran & Co Solicitors Ltd is believed to have no connection to the above alert.

The SRA previously authorised a sole law practice called Martin Edwards with the SRA ID: 69102 which ceased trading on 30 September 2010. The closed firm is believed to have no connection to the above alert.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called B A international Solicitors Ltd. The genuine firm of B A International Solicitors Ltd has confirmed that it has no connection to the above alert.   

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Mohammad Bassam Tablieh with the SRA ID: 361992. The genuine Mohammad Bassam Tablieh has confirmed that he has no connection to the above alert.

The SRA authorises and regulates a number of genuine solicitors who work at an address of 10 Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2SL. None of these genuine solicitors are believed to have any connection to the above alert.

The SRA authorises and regulates a number of genuine solicitors who work at an address of Riverside Building, County Hall, London, SE1 7PB. None of these genuine solicitors are believed to have any connection to 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.