The FBI has issued an alert to UK consumers about fraudulent emails concerning refund notifications.

The emails purportedly from the US Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the Bank of England, the Metropolitan Police and the UK Government claim that people who have suffered fraud online can claim refunds.

The emails promise refunds of thousands of dollars which are to be sent via bank wire transfer from the 'bank of England' (sic) once the victim signs a 'fund release order'. The emails contain warnings that failure to sign the order will place the funds on hold and a penalty will be applied.

The multiple spelling mistakes and poor grammar of the emails are a giveaway that they are fraudulent. In some of them, the names of the ‘officials’ do not match the signatures.

The FBI said people should always be alert when they receive an unsolicited email and it advises against opening them or clicking on any links embedded in the email, as they may contain a virus or malware.

The Bureau is asking anyone who has received one of these emails to file a complaint with IC3.