Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Leena Hindocha and Howell Jones LLP

14 July 2026

Emails sent misusing the name and details of a genuine solicitor and firm.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent to a member of the public misusing the name of a genuine solicitor and a genuine firm (see below) in relation to a property transaction.

The email asks the recipient to transfer deposit monies to a client account.

The email was sent from the email address: leena.hindocha@howell-jone.com (note the missing 's' from Howell-jones).

The telephone numbers: 020 8947 7991, 020 8944 3834, 07535 823834, website www.howell-jones.com and office address: 594-596 Kingston Road, Raynes Park, London, SW20 8DN are also provided in the emails.

Any business or transaction through the email address leena.hindocha@howell-jone.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 genuine solicitor called Leena Hindocha (SRA ID 300819). Leena Hindocha is a Member at Howell Jones LLP.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm called Howell Jones LLP (SRA number 463477). The genuine firm uses the email domain @howell-jones.com, telephone number 02085495186.

The genuine firm of solicitors Howell Jones LLP has confirmed that neither it nor Leena Hindocha have any 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.