Alerts

Warning: Correspondence misusing the name of Michael Scott and claiming to be from 'Michael Scott & Co Law Firm'

27 August 2026

Telephone calls and correspondence have been sent misusing the name of Michael Scott and claiming to be from 'Michael Scott & Co Law Firm', in relation to an unclaimed life insurance policy.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been notified that emails, documents and telephone calls have been received by a member of the public misusing the name of a genuine solicitor (see details below).

The emails were sent from a 'Barr. Michael Scott' claiming to be a Lead Attorney and Consultant at 'Michael Scott & Co Law Firm'. The recipient was advised of an 'unclaimed Payable on Death account' with a sum of five million eight hundred and twenty thousand British pounds sterling' and asked the recipient to also provide personal information. The emails included a purported death certificate, a letter of administration and an affidavit of claim.

The emails were sent from the email address 'info@michaekscottandcolawfirm.com'. The email signature provides the address '77 Southwark Street, London SE1 0JA, United Kingdom' and website 'www.michaelscottandcolawfirm.com'. The calls were made from the telephone number '+44 771 790 7327'.

The website appears to have now been taken down by the domain host.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm named 'Michael Scott & Co Law Firm'.

Any business or transactions through the above email address, address, website or contact details and through this documentation 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 several genuine solicitors named Michael Scott, none of whom are believed to be connected with the correspondence, telephone calls or 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.