Gmail and Yahoo users warned as 'mystery' Amazon email sent to UK inboxes - delete it now

All Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook and users of other popular email providers must stay alert when next checking their batch of daily emails. Express.co.uk has just spotted a worrying new scam targeting UK inboxes and failing for it could leave those duped seriously out of pocket. The sneaky message is using the popular Amazon brand to make things appear convincing along with offering a surprise Mystery Box to those who are happy to take a quick survey. 

To save you from getting hacked, we clicked on the links to see how the scam works and it's easy to see why some could be easily fooled. Once opened, the email displays an official-looking Amazon logo along with the words "You are our winner!"

This is then followed by an image of a so-called "Mystery Box" which is packed full gadgets such as iPhones, tablets and Echo speakers along with suggesting that you will be rewarded with these goodies for taking part in a very quick survey.

A customer number and link are then supplied which, once clicked, takes you to a website full of Amazon branding where the survey then takes place.

All you have to do is answer a few simple questions such as, "How easy is it to find products you're looking for on Amazon?"

Once the survey is completed, you are then told you are the winner of a Mystery Box worth £499.99. The only thing that the survey won't provide is any details of what's actually inside the bundle.

"Amazon Mystery Box is a listing of products where the specific contents of the box are unknown to the buyer until they receive it," a message explains.

"These boxes can contain a variety of items, and the element of surprise is part of the appeal for some buyers."

Next, a warning is issued saying the boxes are running out of stock and urgent action is needed to secure your prize. This is followed by a page asking for a £10.98 postage fee to be paid.

Of course, it's highly unlikely that you will ever see your box or any gadgets worth £500 and filling out the form simply gives the hackers full access to your bank account, address, card number and name.

Along with the constant sense of urgency, a tactic often used by scammers, there are a number of other red flags including spelling mistakes and the fact that real prize winners are never asked for payment details.

Amazon has plenty of advice about avoiding cyber crime with the firm saying: "Spoof or phishing emails are fraudulent emails attempting to get your personal information. They are generally made to look like they are coming from Amazon.

"Amazon will never ask for personal information to be supplied by e-mail. Amazon will never request to update payment information that is not linked to an Amazon order you placed or an Amazon service you subscribed to."

If you get any messages claiming you've won a prize and you don't remember entering a competition then the best idea is to delete the message immediately.