Alerts

Warning: Email sent purporting to be a solicitor called 'Michael Wilton' of 'Michael Wilton Solicitors'

26 March 2026

Emails have been sent purporting to be from a solicitor called 'Michael Wilton' of 'Michael Wilton Solicitors'.

What is the scam?

Email correspondence has been sent purporting to be from a genuine solicitor (see below).

The email concerns an estate valued at £5.5 million. The sender claims that the estate belonged to their deceased client and that the recipient is the sole beneficiary.

The sender requests personal details from the recipient in order to progress with the paperwork.

The emails were sent from mwilton@hrm-works.com and michael@mwilsonsolicitors.co.uk

The email also includes the website address www.mwiltonsolicitors.co.uk, which has since been taken down and the telephone number +441217901228.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called 'Michael Wilton' or a firm called 'Michael Wilton Solicitors'.

Any business or transaction through the details listed above is not undertaken by a firm or solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called 'Michael Wilton', or a firm of solicitors called 'Michael Wilton Solicitors'.

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.