The e-mail was sent in the name of Gregor Murray, a civil litigation and insolvency partner – but the identity of the actual sender remains unknown. The body of the e-mail read:
"If you want to raise a Civil Court action against someone anywhere in Scotland then I am your man. I am a ruthless bastard and I will screw the opposition to the wall even if it means bending a few rules. E-mail me back."
Mr Murray's name and contact details were included.
Scott Williamson, another partner with Blackadders, commented to OUT-LAW.COM that it sounds like it could be the work of one of Mr Murray's unsuccessful opponents - but that they do not know. However, Tayside police are now working with ISPs to trace the source of the e-mail.
The e-mail appears to have been sent using free address-generating software of the type used by spammers that combine random names with known domains. The e-mail was "spoofed" to appear as though it came from the firm – which also means that Mr Murray receives all replies.
In addition to several hundred undeliverable error messages, Mr Murray has received angry responses from those who thought the e-mail was intended as a genuine advert. Among recipients were some clients of the firm, although Mr Williamson stressed that this was coincidental.
