From Research to Reform: Anglia Research’s Role in Breaking the Story

Episode four of the BBC podcast series “The Grave Robbers” airs on Wednesday 30^th July 2025. The series follows the investigative journalist Sue Mitchell as she tracks down fraudsters who were able to take advantage of systemic weaknesses to claim estates that were never theirs, leaving rightful heirs omitted.

The team here at Anglia Research has been instrumental in the podcast, providing details of three of the cases that form part of the series so far. In fact, it was our founder, Peter Turvey, who first approached Sue Mitchell with the troubling story.

“I contacted the BBC investigative journalist Sue Mitchell, whose work I knew from an impressive radio series about the misuse of Powers of Attorney. She was immediately keen to take it on, and I passed all my information on to her and then worked closely with her on continuing investigatory work.”

“There’s a slackness in the online system which the fraudsters have manipulated to their benefit.”

As the investigation gathered pace and concerns mounted over how estate details were being sourced, the Government Legal Department temporarily suspended the publication of the Bona Vacantia list (also known as the Unclaimed Estates list) on 7th July 2025.

When someone dies without a valid will and with no known relatives, their estate – if valued at £500 or more – is added to the unclaimed estates list. We have written previously about the Bona Vacantia list. As of 28^th July 2025, the list is yet to be republished, and a backlog of new cases is growing daily.

The temporary suspension has prompted serious reflection within the legal sector about how best to protect the vulnerable and prevent fraud in an increasingly digital world. It’s important to note, however, that not all the cases we identified originated from the Bona Vacantia list. This is an important detail that has been somewhat lost as the story has developed.

Importantly, the instructed work we undertake for solicitors and other legal professionals is entirely unaffected. We continue to operate as normal, and new instructions can be submitted in the usual way.

The podcast highlights the key role played by probate genealogists in unearthing unusual activity with their years of experience, keen eyes for detail, and having a professional instinct for when something doesn’t seem right.

“Anglia Research’s reputation for integrity and competence has been enhanced further and every day we are seeing new referrals from within the legal world.” Says Peter.

For more information on any part of this article or to discuss any other matter, please do get in contact with us.