Alerts

Warning: Correspondence from 'Blockchain Access UK Ltd' and 'Trace Investigations LTD' misusing the name and SRA ID of 'Karl Wilson'

12 May 2026

Correspondence has been sent from 'Blockchain Access UK Ltd' and 'Trace Investigations LTD', misusing the names of genuine solicitors in relation to recovering frozen cryptocurrency funds.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen correspondence which has been sent to a member of the public by individuals purporting to be genuine solicitors (see genuine details below) and offering services relating to the recovery of cryptocurrency funds.

The correspondence includes an "Agreement" from 'Trace Investigations Ltd', signed by 'Karl Michael Wilson' who claims to be an 'Authorized Representative / Legal Counsel'. The Agreement and includes an address of '27-1300 King St. East, Unit 123, Oshawa ON L1H 8J4, Canada', and the email address 'info@traceinvestigationsltd.com'. The recipient is encouraged to make payment to 'Trace Investigations Ltd' to release frozen cryptocurrency.

The correspondence from 'Blockchain Access UK Ltd' is a letter of guarantee signed by 'Mr. Simon Peter Smith'. It includes the address 'Minshull House, 67 Wellington Road North Stockport, Cheshire United Kingdom SK4 2LP'. The recipient is encouraged to pay a 'freezing order' and that the wallet was identified in cooperation with their legal counsel, "Karl Michael Wilson (SRA Number 299468)".

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm called 'Trace Investigations LTD'.

Any business or transaction through the postal or email addresses above are not undertaken by an individual or firm regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Karl Wilson (SRA ID 299468) who has confirmed that he has no connection to the correspondence referred to in the above alert.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate Blockchain Access UK Ltd. However, the SRA authorises and regulates a genuine in-house solicitor at this company. Blockchain Access UK Ltd is believed to 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.