How a Fraudster Almost Stole Our Client’s Home Using a Forged Lasting Power of Attorney
This is the case of Marie — not her real name — a homeowner who came within a hair’s breadth of losing her £280,000 flat to a complete stranger, without her knowledge, while she was away caring for her mother during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Case at a Glance
Property fraud prevented involving forged Lasting Power of Attorney
£280,000
- Type of Case
Property fraud via forged Lasting Power of Attorney - Property Value
£280,000 - Outcome
Sale prevented — fraud identified, LPA removed from register, police informed
What Happened
Marie left her flat empty while she went to care for her mother during the pandemic. While she was away, a fraudster — presenting herself as “Julie” — forged a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) document and submitted it to the Office of the Public Guardian, the government body responsible for approving such applications. The application was granted, giving Julie legal control over Marie’s financial affairs.
Julie then used that power to attempt to sell Marie’s flat, instructing solicitors to complete the sale and requesting that the £280,000 proceeds be paid into a bank account in Julie’s own name.
Marie knew nothing about any of it.
How the Fraud Was Uncovered
The first Marie heard about the fraud was when her freeholder contacted her to say someone had tried to sell the flat. When she got to her property, she found the locks had been drilled off and changed. “They rocked up in broad daylight and just drilled off the locks, they were that bold,” she said. “That was the moment I began to feel very scared.”
The sale had not gone through — and that was down to the instincts of our conveyancing team. Our conveyancers, Nicola Nolan and Natalie Moylan, had grown suspicious and began asking for additional documentation, including a doctor’s note confirming that Marie lacked capacity. Nothing was forthcoming. A further concern was the geographical mismatch — Marie was based in the south of England, so why had a Manchester firm been instructed? The firm decided it did not want to act for the client, and the sale did not proceed.
The Documents
Julie had presented our firm with a genuine LPA document, a driving licence bearing her name and photograph, and two bank statements. However, upon closer examination, the LPA — while genuine in format — contained multiple factual inaccuracies, fake names, and signatures that appeared to have been written by the same person.
The Outcome
The Office of the Public Guardian confirmed that Marie’s fraudulent LPA was removed from the register and that the police were informed. Marie’s home was saved.
“It has been my home, I love it to bits,” Marie told BBC Radio 4’s You & Yours. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have this, and I was very angry that somebody had tried to take it away from me.”
A Wider Problem
This case exposed a significant vulnerability in the LPA system. At the time, the Office of the Public Guardian employed no trained fraud investigators and used no fraud detection systems to cross-reference identities on applications — meaning a forged LPA could be granted without any meaningful checks.
David Lammy MP described the situation as “a scandal of huge proportions,” calling for a root-and-branch review of the system. “A lasting power of attorney is a dramatic legal act,” he said. “It’s taking control of a human being’s affairs, and it’s extraordinary that legal protections are so weak that fraud can take place.”
What This Case Demonstrates
This case was only prevented from becoming a devastating loss because our conveyancers asked the right questions and refused to proceed when the answers did not stack up. Had a less diligent firm been instructed, Marie’s home would have been sold without her ever knowing — until it was too late.
Concerned about property fraud or misuse of a power of attorney?
If you suspect fraud involving your property or a Lasting Power of Attorney, it is vital to act quickly. Our solicitors can assess your situation and help you take urgent legal action to protect your assets.
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