A recent case shows yet again that there are those who will prey on the elderly and the bereaved for their own benefit.

An NHS bereavement services adviser from Leicestershire was jailed after being found guilty of stealing £3/4 million from the estates of deceased hospital patients.

The woman had befriended the patients and used the trust they bestowed on her to forge wills and other documents, allowing her to embezzle large sums from them. This had continued since at least 2002.

She pleaded guilty to 11 counts of forging wills and other documents, numerous charges of theft and other offences and was sent to prison for five years.

Proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 will now commence in order to confiscate, to the extent possible, her ‘criminal assets' so that restitution can be made. One of the beneficiaries under a will which was replaced by a forged will was a charity, which had been bequeathed more than £200,000.

Says Rupert Thompson, "It is a regrettable fact that not everyone is trustworthy. We can help you to ensure that your assets are protected against the unscrupulous or those who wish to exert pressure on you for their own benefit."