The RCMP are warning Yukon residents of a bogus e-mail in circulation that claims to be from the RCMP themselves.

The e-mail warns people not to flash their vehicle lights at oncoming vehicles that do not have their headlights on.

The e-mail claims that people who do so will be caught in a gang initiation where the oncoming vehicle will chase them and shoot at them.

This claim is false and an urban legend, say the RCMP.

The bogus e-mail is not from official RCMP sources, and police advise residents to delete the e-mail and prevent it from being circulated further.

Cpl. Glenn Ramsay of the RCMP Whitehorse detachment said today officers were first alerted to the bogus e-mail after some of the dispatchers received calls from the public.

Ramsay said the source of the e-mail is unknown. He was also unable to confirm the number of people who received the bogus message.

Ramsay added that he doesn't think there is a virus associated with the e-mail, although he couldn't confirm this.