Police are warning people of a new internet email scam where fraudsters claim to be from Royal Mail to infect malicious software on home computers.

The official looking scam emails describe how a package has been seized by HM Revenue and Customs upon its arrival into the UK and invite the user to click on a link to a document.

This then installs malicious software, which is designed to steal credentials like account names, email addresses and passwords.

An example scam email reads: “Royal Mail is sorry to inform you that a package addressed to you was seized by HM Revenue & Customs upon arrival into the United Kingdom.

“A close inspection deemed your items as counterfeit and the manufacturers have been notified. If your items are declared genuine then they will be returned back to you with the appropriate custom charges.

“You may have been a victim of counterfeit merchandise and the RM Group UK will notify you on how to get your money back.

“Please review the attached PDF document for more information. Document (RM7002137GB).Zip. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

Police are advising people not to click on any links or download any attachments and report all emails to ActionFraud on 0300 123 2040.

Royal Mail issued the following advice:

• Royal Mail will never send an email asking for credit card numbers or other personal or confidential information.

• Royal Mail will never ask customers to enter information on a page that isn’t part of the Royal Mail website.

• Royal Mail will never include attachments unless the email was solicited by a customer e.g. customer has contacted Royal Mail with an enquiry or has signed up for updates from Royal Mail.

• Royal Mail do not receive a person’s email address as part of any home shopping experience.