Fresh warning on email fraud

City of London Police is renewing advice on how to spot email frauds, after conmen contacted victims of fraud claiming to be from the force.

Emails suggesting the recipient has won lotteries they never entered, or are entitled to an inheritance from an unknown relative, are designed to entice victims into sending 'advance fees' to release cash.

The latest twist has seen emails offering to claw back money already lost to fraudsters - but only once an advance fee is paid to fund a tax or obtain a ‘clearance certificate’. Some of the emails claim to be from official organisations, including City of London Police itself.

The names of City of London Police officers and departments, as well as addresses of police buildings, have been used by fraudsters trying to legitimise their emails.

These emails are false and have not originated from the force.

A specific recent example is of an email claiming to be from a City of London Police officer named "Brown Lord". No-one of that name works for the force.

Anyone receiving an email from someone claiming to be from City of London Police, its officers or departments should contact the force’s Fraud Desk on 020 7601 6999. The Fraud Desk can also offer more advice on the subject of email fraud.

Further advice on email fraud is available on the City of London Police website: Email scams

Further advice on common scams including lotteries, online dating and advance fee fraud is available on the Consumer Direct website - Commonscams: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk (opens in a new window)