Alerts
Warning: Correspondence and website misusing the name of Franklin & Co. Solicitors Limited
7 July 2026
A letter has been sent purporting to be from 'Michael Frankland' of 'Frankland & Co. UK Solicitors (LLP)' regarding an alleged inheritance.
What is the scam?
The SRA has seen a letter sent to a member of the public purporting to be from 'Michael Frankland' a 'practicing lawyer in London UK', who claims to be acting for a 'deceased client'.
The letter invites the recipient to be recognised as a beneficiary of the 'deceased client's' inheritance, to be deposited in a UK bank. The letter cites the 'UK Inheritance Act' claiming the 'deceased person's assets will be confiscated if left unclaimed'.
The letter also states that the transaction is '100% risk free', and 'without complications' from the 'British government' or the government of the recipient's home country.
The letter quotes the address '18 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1AH, United Kingdom', telephone number '+44 (203) 051 5564', email address 'michael@franklanduk.com' and website 'https://franklanduk.com'.
The website 'https://franklanduk.com' states that 'Frankland & Co. UK Solicitors (LLP)' has over 30 year's experience in offering 'legal advice' and provides an email address of 'info@franklanduk.com', and mentions 'Paul Cumberland', 'Sharon Cleevely' and 'Graham Finch' purporting to be solicitors.
The name of a genuine solicitor (see details below) also appears on that website.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Frankland & Co. UK Solicitors (LLP)' or any solicitors named 'Michael Frankland', 'Paul Cumberland', 'Sharon Cleevely' and 'Graham Finch'.
Any business or transactions through the letter, address, email address, telephone number, website and individuals described above 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 firm of solicitors called Franklin & Co. Solicitors Limited (SRA ID number 8011307) whose address is Town Hall Chambers, Anchor Square, Bakewell, DE45 1DR. Their telephone number is 01629814461 and the email domain of the genuine firm is '@franklin-solicitors.co.uk'. The genuine firm's website is www.franklin-solicitors.co.uk.
The genuine firm has confirmed it has no connection to the correspondence, address, telephone number, email address and website referred to in the above alert.
The SRA authorises and regulates several genuine solicitors called Ian Morris. It is believed that they are not linked to the website referred to above.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Franklins Solicitors (SRA ID number 570602) which is based in Northampton. This firm uses the website www.franklins-sols.co.uk, its genuine email domain is @franklins-sols.co.uk and is not believed to have any connection to the matters 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.