Woman scammed over wills and probate

The importance of professional probate solicitors has been highlighted by a recent case in which a woman believes she was targeted by a scam.

Margaret Robertson, who lives in Wick, received a letter in the post last week saying that she was set to gain an inheritance of $18.5 million (£11.65 million), the John O'Groats Journal said.

The letter claimed that Ms Robertson was going to receive the sum from a bank account held by Mr KP Miller, who the note's author claimed died intestate after an accident in China and does not have any next of kin.

Fred Yao, who said he was a principal assurance manager, signed the letter and claimed that Mr Miller was his client and he is the only one who can access his files.

In the note Mr Yao suggested that Ms Robertson should share the money with him, a practice that would not be undertaken by a reputable probate lawyer, sparking her concern.
Mrs Robertson has now said that others should be wary of similar scams.

In addition, Consumerdirect.gov.uk said that each year three million people are the victims of scams.