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Emails were sent out offering free tickets to amusement parks, which directed recipients to a website where they were asked to enter personal details including address, email address and phone number.

The email claimed to originate from the Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, but confused those at the group who had no knowledge of such a scheme.

"This is a scam, a phishing site using our logo, header, and links to our website. It has nothing

However, it later emerged that the attack had originated from within the Army itself, and that it was part of a security trial by the US Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM).

A similar stunt was performed by the Office of Fair Trading earlier this year, when it sent thousands of texts to those aged 18-24 claiming that they had won a cash prize.

"Urgent! U may have won £1k cash with '2 Good 2 B True," read the message, which was quickly followed up by another explaining that it was simply a test.

The US Army was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.