Alerts

Warning: Correspondence from 'Sarah Cooper' of 'GC Business Lawyers Limited'

9 September 2025

Correspondence has been sent to a member of the public from a 'Sarah Cooper' of 'GC Business Lawyers Limited'.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been notified that a member of the public has been contacted by an individual purporting to be 'Sarah Cooper' from 'GC Business Lawyers Limited' in relation to the recovery of cryptocurrency funds. The email address used by the individual purporting to be 'Sarah Cooper' is 'sarah.cooper@bis-lawyers.com'.

'GC Business Lawyers Limited' was a law firm previously authorised by the SRA which ceased trading on 1 October 2024, when it was acquired by another genuine firm of solicitors (see details below).

Any business or transaction through the email address or individual described above 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 called MDLS Solicitors Limited. The genuine firm's email address is hello@legalstudio.co.uk and the genuine contact number for the firm is 01132 473 800.

The genuine firm has confirmed that it has no connection to the individual or email address referred to in the above alert, nor do they offer services in relation to cryptocurrencies or employ an individual called 'Sarah Cooper'.

The private company GC Business Lawyers Ltd has also confirmed that they do not have any genuine connection to this correspondence and do not employ an individual called 'Sarah Cooper'.

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.