Don’t Fall for the Hogan Lovells Email Scam – Full Breakdown and Safety Tips
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
If you’ve received an email claiming to be from Hogan Lovells with a Google Drive file—don’t open it. It’s a phishing scam designed to steal your information. These fraudulent emails are not from the legitimate law firm Hogan Lovells. They are part of a widespread phishing campaign targeting various communities, including the 3D printing community.
In this article, we’ll provide a detailed overview of the Hogan Lovells email scam, explain how it works, and offer guidance on what to do if you’ve fallen victim to it.
Scam Overview
The Hogan Lovells email scam is a phishing campaign where scammers impersonate the international law firm Hogan Lovells to trick recipients into opening malicious Google Drive files. These emails often claim to contain urgent legal documents or notifications, prompting the recipient to click on a link or download a file.
How Widespread Is the Scam?
Reports indicate that the scam is not limited to a specific group. While some believe it targets the 3D printing community, others who have no connection to 3D printing have also received these emails. This suggests that the scam is part of a broader phishing campaign affecting various individuals and organizations.
What Are the Characteristics of the Scam Emails?
The scam emails often use domain names that are similar to Hogan Lovells’ official domain. However, genuine business emails from Hogan Lovells only use the domains “@hoganlovells.com” and “@ehoganlovells.com” for some marketing emails. They do not use Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, or other email addresses. The fraudulent emails may include a copy of the Hogan Lovells logo, false telephone numbers, and describe in detail fictional circumstances with the intent to defraud the recipient.
What Has Hogan Lovells Said About the Scam?
Hogan Lovells has acknowledged the existence of these fraudulent emails and has issued warnings to the public. They recommend that recipients delete scam emails and messages and not reply to them. If you are unsure whether you have received a genuine communication from Hogan Lovells, you can report suspicious communications and scams to their dedicated email inbox: informationsecurity@hoganlovells.com.
How the Scam Works
Step 1: The Initial Email
The scam begins with an unsolicited email that appears to come from Hogan Lovells. The email may claim to contain important legal documents or notifications and includes a link to a Google Drive file. The sender’s email address may look similar to Hogan Lovells’ official email addresses but will differ slightly, such as using “@hogannlovells.co” instead of “@hoganlovells.com”.
Step 2: The Google Drive File
When the recipient clicks on the link, they are directed to a Google Drive file that may appear legitimate. The file may be labeled as a legal document or contain urgent information. Opening the file may prompt the recipient to enter personal information or login credentials, which are then captured by the scammers.
Step 3: Data Harvesting
Once the recipient provides their information, the scammers can use it for various malicious purposes, such as identity theft, unauthorized access to accounts, or further phishing attacks. The scammers may also use the compromised account to send additional phishing emails to the victim’s contacts.
Step 4: Continued Exploitation
The scammers may continue to exploit the victim’s information for financial gain or to perpetrate additional scams. They may also sell the harvested data on the dark web, leading to further security breaches and identity theft.
What to Do If You’ve Fallen Victim to This Scam
Do Not Interact Further: If you suspect you’ve received a fraudulent email, do not click on any links, download any files, or reply to the email.
Report the Email: Forward the suspicious email to Hogan Lovells’ information security team at informationsecurity@hoganlovells.com. You can also report the scam to your local cybersecurity authority or law enforcement agency.
Change Your Passwords: If you clicked on the link or provided any personal information, immediately change your passwords for all accounts that may be affected. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Where possible, enable two-factor authentication on your accounts to add an extra layer of security.
Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank accounts, credit reports, and other sensitive accounts for any unauthorized activity.
Educate Others: Inform your colleagues, friends, and family about the scam to prevent them from falling victim to similar phishing attempts.
Is Your Device Infected? Scan for Malware
If your computer or phone is slow, showing unwanted pop-ups, or acting strangely, malware could be the cause. Running a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is one of the most reliable ways to detect and remove harmful software. The free version can identify and clean common infections such as adware, browser hijackers, trojans, and other unwanted programs.
Malwarebytes works on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Choose your operating system below and follow the steps to scan your device and remove any malware that might be slowing it down.
Malwarebytes for WindowsMalwarebytes for MacMalwarebytes for Android
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes
Download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows using the official link below. Malwarebytes will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software for free.
(The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
Install Malwarebytes
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Once the scan completes, remove all detected threats. Your Windows computer should now be clean and running smoothly again, free of trojans, adware, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
After scanning, delete any detected threats. Your Mac should now be free from adware, unwanted extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
When the scan is finished, remove all detected threats. Your Android phone should now be free of malicious apps, adware, and unwanted browser redirects.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
After cleaning your device, it’s important to protect it from future infections and annoying pop-ups. We recommend installing an ad blocker such as AdGuard. AdGuard blocks malicious ads, prevents phishing attempts, and stops dangerous redirects, helping you stay safe while browsing online.
FAQ: Hogan Lovells Email Scam
What is the Hogan Lovells email scam?
The Hogan Lovells email scam is a phishing scheme in which scammers impersonate the law firm Hogan Lovells. Victims receive emails claiming to contain urgent legal documents via Google Drive. These messages are fake and designed to steal your personal or login information.
How can I tell if an email from Hogan Lovells is legitimate?
Only trust emails sent from domains ending in @hoganlovells.com or @ehoganlovells.com. Any message from free email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail claiming to be from Hogan Lovells is a red flag.
What should I do if I received one of these emails?
Do not click on any links or download any attachments. Delete the message immediately. If you’ve already interacted with it, change your passwords and monitor your accounts. Report the email to informationsecurity@hoganlovells.com.
Is this scam only targeting the 3D printing community?
No. While some reports suggest the scam may have started with the 3D printing community, it has since broadened to affect a wide range of individuals and industries.
What happens if I click the Google Drive link?
Clicking the link may lead you to a fake document or login page designed to trick you into entering sensitive information. Doing so can give scammers access to your email, files, or other accounts.
Can Hogan Lovells help me if I’ve been scammed?
While Hogan Lovells is not responsible for the scam, they do offer a reporting channel via informationsecurity@hoganlovells.com. They may be able to verify the authenticity of any messages claiming to be from their firm.
What are the risks of interacting with these phishing emails?
Risks include identity theft, compromised email and financial accounts, installation of malware, and unauthorized access to sensitive or personal information.
How can I protect myself from similar scams in the future?
Always verify sender email addresses
Never click on unexpected links or attachments
Use two-factor authentication for your accounts
Keep your software and antivirus tools updated
Educate yourself on common phishing tactics
I shared the email with colleagues—what should they do?
Advise them not to interact with the message and to delete it. If any of them clicked a link or entered personal information, they should follow the same recovery steps and report the incident immediately.
Why do scammers impersonate law firms like Hogan Lovells?
Scammers often use the names of well-known and trusted organizations to make their messages seem legitimate. Law firms, due to their association with sensitive and confidential matters, are particularly attractive targets for impersonation.
The Bottom Line
The Hogan Lovells email scam is a sophisticated phishing attack that exploits the reputation of a reputable law firm to deceive recipients. By understanding how the scam operates and taking proactive measures, you can protect yourself and others from falling victim to such fraudulent schemes. Always verify the authenticity of unsolicited emails, especially those claiming to be from well-known organizations, and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
10 Rules to Avoid Online Scams
Here are 10 practical safety rules to help you avoid malware, online shopping scams, crypto scams, and other online fraud. Each tip includes a quick “if you already got hit” action.
Stop and verify before you click, log in, download, or pay.
Most scams win by creating urgency. Verify using a trusted method: type the website address yourself, use the official app, or call a known number (not the one in the message).
If you already clicked: close the page, do not enter passwords, and run a malware scan.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated.
Updates patch security holes used by malware and malicious ads. Turn on automatic updates where possible.
If you saw a scary “update now” pop-up: close it and update only through your device settings or the official app store.
Use layered protection: antivirus plus an ad blocker.
Antivirus helps block malware. An ad blocker reduces scam redirects, phishing pages, and malvertising.
If your browser is acting weird: remove unknown extensions, reset the browser, then run a full scan.
Install apps, software, and extensions only from official sources.
Avoid cracked software, “keygens,” and random downloads. During installs, choose Custom/Advanced and decline bundled offers you do not recognize.
If you already installed something suspicious: uninstall it, restart, and scan again.
Treat links and attachments as untrusted by default.
Phishing often impersonates delivery services, banks, and popular brands. If it is unexpected, do not open attachments or log in through the message.
If you entered credentials: change the password immediately and enable 2FA.
Shop safely: research the store, then pay with protection.
Be cautious with brand-new stores, “closing sale” stories, and prices that make no sense. Prefer credit cards or PayPal for dispute options. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto payments.
If you already paid: contact your card issuer or PayPal quickly to dispute the transaction.
Crypto rule: never pay a “fee” to withdraw or recover money.
Common patterns include fake profits, then “tax,” “gas,” or “verification” fees. Another is a “recovery agent” who demands upfront crypto.
If you already sent crypto: stop paying, save evidence (wallet addresses, TXIDs, chats), and report the scam to the platform used.
Secure your accounts with unique passwords and 2FA (start with email).
Use a password manager and unique passwords for every account. Enable 2FA using an authenticator app when possible.
If you suspect an account takeover: change passwords, sign out of all devices, and review recent logins and recovery settings.
Back up important files and keep one backup offline.
Backups protect you from ransomware and device failure. Keep at least one backup on an external drive that is not always connected.
If you suspect infection: do not connect backup drives until the system is clean.
If you think you are a victim: stop losses, document evidence, and escalate fast.
Move quickly. Speed matters for disputes, account recovery, and limiting damage.
Stop payments and contact: do not send more money or respond to the scammer.
Call your bank or card issuer: block transactions, replace the card if needed, and start a dispute or chargeback.
Secure your email first: change the email password, enable 2FA, and remove unfamiliar recovery options.
Secure other accounts: change passwords, enable 2FA, and log out of all sessions.
Scan your device: remove suspicious apps or extensions, then run a full malware scan.
Save evidence: screenshots, emails, order pages, tracking pages, wallet addresses, TXIDs, and chat logs.
Report it: to the payment provider, marketplace, social platform, exchange, or wallet service involved.
These rules are intentionally simple. Most online losses happen when decisions are rushed. Slow down, verify independently, and use payment methods and account controls that give you recourse.
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
