The US Embassy has issued a warning about internet scam artists impersonating Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley in an attempt to get Maltese to send them money.

Scammers are contacting people through Linked In with an invitation to connect to Ms Abercrombie-Winstanley.

Once they have done so, they are to receive a message saying Ms Abercrombie-Winstanley was asked to nominate two citizens to become the first Maltese UN Ambassadors of Peace.

The ambassador, the message continues, has been receiving hundreds of letters from government ministers and former top government officers “lobbying my staff and pleading to be appointed”.

The message states that many people wanted the position for the money and fame that went along with it as well as to become the first “ordinary Maltese” to hold such a position.

The appointed individual had to have the zeal and strong will to positively impact Malta by attracting “good developmental projects”.

The scammer then asks for a CV and photo to be sent to Winstanley@usa.com.

The US Embassy said victims were then requested to send money to an office in London.

In other attempts, the perpetrators have sent unsolicited e-mails for fees to process immigrant visa documents and work permits.

“Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley does not make UN appointments and would not solicit funds from people,” the embassy said.

“Correspondence purporting to be from Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley requesting any payment of funds or personal information is false. We caution against providing any personal or financial information to unsolicited e-mails or social media contact.”

Social media expert Alex Grech noted that the scam was slightly more innovative and sophisticated than the general hoax e-mails. Behind the mask of a fake profile of the US Ambassador, the scammer attempts to inspire trust by appealing to the celebrity status of the ambassador, which would compel a person to respond.

“But by 2015, people have gotten used to bogus requests for money or other benefits. Linked In users should not be so gullible as to believe they would be contacted directly by the US Ambassador herself to be appointed a bona fide UN goodwill ambassadors.

“Digital literacy in the boardroom is needed as much as digital literacy in the classroom.”