Rotorua police say warning is a hoax

A warning circulating social media is a hoax - at least in New Zealand - and people are being urged to ignore it.

Rotorua Police posted on its facebook page asking users to ignore the message regarding "don't flash headlights at any car with no lights on".

"It has a CHUBB letterhead and claims to be a Police issued warning. This is a sham and has been circulating for a while however the police are still getting calls about it," the message read.

The warning is printed on Chubb letterhead with a South African address, and police are trying to trace its origins. The message has been shared across New Zealand, including in groups set up for small businesses, although the Rotorua police post has also been shared.

A police spokesman said it was "an urban myth that does the rounds every so often".

"People should ignore it," he said.

"There has been information about this one for years. It resurfaces in different forms so if you see it you should ignore it and not forward it on to anyone. People need to exercise good judgment when they see these things.

"If you have any doubts about a [similar kind of] message they should contact their local police station."

The message purports to be a police warning to drivers to not flash their headlights at cars driving without lights on as it is a gang initiation. Drivers who flash become targets to the prospective gang member who then has to kill everyone in the car to be accepted into the Bloods gang.

The Rotorua police post had been shared 77 times by yesterday.