Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of 'Mathew Purcell' and Saunders & Partners LLP

12 May 2026

An email has been sent purportedly from 'Mathew Purcell' of Saunders & Partners LLP in relation to a real Estate Investment opportunity with 'advantage investment LTD'.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that a member of the public has received an email purportedly from 'Mathew Purcell' of Saunders & Partners LLP acting under a power of attorney.

The email seen by the SRA advises the recipient that a client of 'Mathew Purcell' wanted to secure an investment with a UK company. The email claims that the client was victim of the pandemic and that contact was made with the recipient to connect with relatives to share the proceeds of the investments.

The email is sent from the email address '247945791times@gmail.com'.

The email also contains a link to the website for the genuine firm Saunders & Partners LLP www.saunders.co.uk/ and also a link to a genuine solicitor at this firm Matthew Purcell www.saunders.co.uk/our-people/matthew-purcell/

Any business or transaction through the above email address '247945791times@gmail.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 solicitor’s firm named Saunders & Partners LLP (SRA 622823). The genuine email domain for this firm is @saunders.co.uk.

The SRA authorises and regulates a solicitor named Matthew Purcell (SRA number 509317).

The genuine firm has confirmed that neither it, nor Matthew Purcell have any connection to the correspondence 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.