Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the names of Duncan Smith and Michael Lightowler

24 August 2026

Emails have been sent misusing the names of Duncan Smith and Michael Lightowler in regards to an alleged inheritance claim.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen emails that have been sent to a member of the public misusing the names of genuine solicitors (see below).

A member of the public informed the SRA that they received an email from an individual purporting to be a 'credit analyst & funding manager' at a financial institution requesting that they contact the designated 'solicitor' who would explain the position regarding an alleged inheritance claim. The details provided to the member of the public for the alleged solicitor were as follows:

Name: 'Name: Duncan Smith, Attorney'

Telephone: '+44 7344 576361'

Email: 'duncansmith@notarysignlimited.co.uk'

Subsequent emails were then received from a 'Duncan Smith Esq' claiming to be an Attorney and suggesting that they would be preparing affidavits and applications to be filed with the probate registry. The emails were sent from 'duncansmith@notarysignlimited.co.uk'. The emails also provide a WhatsApp number '+44 7312 272602'.

Any business or transaction through the above individual and contacts 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 Duncan Smith, whose genuine SRA number is 595158.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Michael Michael Lightowler, whose genuine SRA number is 109759.

The genuine solicitors Duncan Smith and Michael Lightowler have confirmed that they do not 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.