BMW UK has warned people to ignore emails claiming they have won a BMW and cash prize after receiving hundreds of enquiries from concerned recipients.

The email, entitled ‘International Awareness Promotion Department of the BMW Automobile Company’ asks recipients to submit bank details to claim their cash prize. These details can then be used to withdraw money from their accounts.

BMW has stressed that it does not run a lottery or give away cars or money in free prize draws.

Richard Price, BMW national customer service manager, says: “We are investigating how to prevent those responsible from using BMW’s name in such a way. We advise anyone who receives the email not to enter into correspondence with the sender.”