Police issued a warning today about a social media scam in which people are falsely told they have won a large sum of money.

A message circulating on WhatsApp tell recipients to submit a “winning code” and provide personal information via e-mail.

A police spokesman said the message, sent from the overseas number +1 (236) 256 8359, is part of a growing trend of phishing scams.

Detective Inspector Derricka Burns, of the Special Investigations Crime Division, provided the following advice:

• Do not respond to the message

• Do not open any attachments or links

• Block the sender to stop any further messages from being received

• Avoid communications with unknown numbers.