Alerts

Warning: Email using the name of 'Donald Scott' and 'Donald Scott & Co Attorneys'

5 May 2026

An email has been sent claiming to be from 'Donald Scott' of 'Donald Scott & Co Attorneys' offering assistance in recovering an alleged inheritance.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that a member of the public has received correspondence from 'Donald Scott' who claims to be a 'Lead Attorney' and 'Head of Insurance 'at 'Donald Scott & Co Attorneys' in relation to a supposedly unclaimed inheritance. 

The email seen by the SRA advises the recipient that the firm's deceased client shared the same surname as the recipient, as such the recipient is said to be the appropriate person to enter into the said transaction. The email advises the recipient that 10% of the inheritance fund will go to charity with the remaining 90% said to be split between the recipient and 'Donald Scott'. Attached to the email is a scanned copy of 'Donald Scott's' passport. The document may contain malware. 

The email provides the telephone number '+447349520787' and the email address 'info@donaldscottandco.com'. A postal address of '48 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1UN' is also provided. 

A website at 'www.donaldscottandco.com' is also operating providing the above contact details. The website falsely claims that the entity is regulated by the SRA (see below) and misuses the names of genuine solicitors (see below). The website also provides the names 'James Adams', 'Eleanor Whitfield' and 'Priya Mehta'. 

Any business or transaction through the above telephone number '+447349520787', the website 'www.donaldscottandco.com',or the email address 'info@donaldscottandco.com' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Donald Scott & Co Attorneys', nor do we authorise or regulate solicitors called 'Donald Scott', Eleanor Whitfield' or 'Priya Mehta'. 

The genuine solicitors Adam James (SRA ID 450689), Adam James (SRA ID 501892) and Adam James (SRA ID 403616) have confirmed that they have no connection to the correspondence 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.