Interpol has issued a warning about emails from fraudsters claiming to be acting for the world's largest police organisation.

The emails apparently from Interpol aim to dupe people into the type of financial scam that routinely uses letters of credit (L/Cs).

Pretend agents

Interpol says it has learnt that fraudsters from Africa and possibly elsewhere are now pretending to be Interpol agents and searching for victims by sending emails worldwide asking for volunteers to help to transfer money through a "legal and highly protected method".

The emails have prompted Interpol to issue a statement drawing attention tothe email scamsthat usetheir name.

Interpol statement

"Please note that Interpol does not send emails to members of the public," the statement says.

"If you receive an email from someone claiming to be an Interpol 'agent' or officer asking you to transfer money to an account, or saying that Interpol is required to intervene in any large sums of money being transferred, treat it as a fake message," it adds.

"Do not give details of your bank account and do not send any money," it concludes.

Warning signs

Interpol says any requests for information to be sent to Interpol via any email address other than those ending in @interpol.int should also be considered as fraudulent.

Anyone who receives such messages should notify the Interpol General Secretariat.

L/Cs feature

Interpol points out that L/Cs routinely feature in scams of this nature after a victim is asked to open a special bank account to allow the remittance of money.

The next phase of the fraud consists of convincing the victim that the money transfer is in progress according to Interpol. Several documents are provided bearing apparent proof of this, and L/Cs are a favourite document in this phase.

This article represents the views of the author and not necessarily those of the ICC or any of the other partners in DC-PRO.