Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Nicolas Bellfort

29 May 2025

An email has been sent misusing the name of Nicolas Bellfort.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen an email misusing the name of Nicolas Bellfort. The email claims to have an offer for the recipient in the sum of $8,500,000.

The email was sent from bellfort.solicitor@gmail.com and provides a further email address of bellfort.solicitor@nicbellfortlaw.com.

The SRA understands that there is also a website at www.nicbellfortlaw.com operating and misusing the name of Nicolas Bellfort.

Any business or transaction through the email addresses bellfort.solicitor@gmail.com or bellfort.solicitor@nicbellfortlaw.com, or through the website www.nicbellfortlaw.com 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 Nicolas Bellfort, who is an in-house counsel at Bunge Global SA.

The genuine solicitor has confirmed that he has no connection to the email addresses or website referred to above.

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.