The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has cautioned businesses in the financial sector against opening a scam email purportedly from one of its employees.

“The email was not sent by the Reserve Bank, and clicking on the link could potentially expose the recipient’s computer to a virus,” it says.

The fake email encourages recipients to click on a link to view “New Transaction Guidelines”, which will expose their computers to the virus attack.

An RBNZ spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au the bank is unsure whether insurers have been targeted.

“We have not been contacted by anyone who fell for the scam. The bank takes cyber-security very seriously, and our security arrangements are constantly reviewed and updated.”

The bank says it does not know who is behind the fraud.