Alerts

Warning: Letter sent misusing the name of Claire-Marie Cornford in relation to an inheritance matter

18 September 2026

A letter has been sent misusing the name of Claire-Marie Cornford in relation to an inheritance matter.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen a letter sent to a member of the public misusing the name of a genuine solicitor (see below) claiming to be a 'solicitor' for 'Law and Private Consultant for Secured Bank Trust Asset Finance'.

The letter was sent in relation to a supposed inheritance matter and alleges that the sender had been appointed by a finance company to act as probate attorney in relation to the inheritance transaction. The letter refers to the recipient becoming entitled to an inheritance of USD 10.7 million and requests payment of an upfront "consultation and mobilization fee" of £2,935 in order to facilitate the release of funds.  The letter also includes a request for payment of fees for completing the transaction.

The letterhead misuses the name of the genuine solicitor in large font at the top of the letter, with 'Law chambers' just below this and 'Solicitors & Advocates' in the top right corner of the letter.

The letter provides an office address of 'The Northcliffe, 28 Tudor St, Temple, London EC4Y 0AY', an email address 'Claire-Marie.comford@consultant.com'.

Any business or transaction through the contact details shown 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 solicitor called Claire-Marie Cornford (SRA number 378337). Claire-Marie Cornford is currently practicing at Irwin Mitchell LLP (SRA number 570654).

Irwin Mitchell LLP has confirmed that Claire-Marie Cornford has no connection to the letter described 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.