POLICE are warning residents to be wary of internet scams following two incidents in Uttlesford in the last month.
In both incidents the victim’s computer screen was locked whilst surfing the internet by a pop-up claiming to be the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Directorate. The victim was threatened with punishment under copyright law or for searching pornography and asked to pay £100 through Paypal or UKash for the message to disappear.
Sergeant Colin Cox stressed that this is something the Police have never and will never do.
“The police don’t do anything like this,” he said.
“This is not a new crime, it emerged last year and while there have been incidents elsewhere this is the first time it has been reported in Uttlesford.
“I would urge people not to hand over any cash because paying will not fix your computer and you will have to get it repaired which will cost even more.”
Monday, July 2, 2012
Internet Scam: Fake Police Threat
Here is a scam that combines the use of a malware virus on your computer and sending cash to a scammer via wire transfer (typically Western Union or MoneyGram, but in this case the scammer was willing to use PayPal [which I think the scammer would have then claimed PayPal wasn't working and move the victim to a more anonymous untraceable service] or UKash). The scammer appeals to the victim's sense of fear of authority (and fear of being accused of viewing pornography online).
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And related to this scam is the Fake FBI Threat Scam, where people are receiving emails that looks like they come from the FBI with some threatening Subject like "You will be jailed and arrested if you fail to read the attached e-mail and comply."
ReplyDeleteThen the email states there is a warrant out for the recipient's arrest for an unspecified crime. The scammer, though, takes pity on the victim and instructs the email recipient to send $98 to an attorney who can help clear up the situation. Via wire transfer, of course, which is untraceable once the scammer has picked up the money.
This scam targets people afraid of authority and the paranoid who think the FBI is after them.
Looks like the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has now issued an official alert on this one, calling it the new Citadel malware platform named Reveton which is used to deliver ransomware. The ransomware lures the victim to a drive-by download website, at which time the ransomware is installed on the user’s computer.
ReplyDeleteOnce installed, the computer freezes and a screen is displayed warning the user they have violated United States federal law. The message further declares the user’s IP address was identified by the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section as visiting child pornography and other illegal content (sound familiar?)
To unlock the computer, the user is instructed to pay a $100 fine to the U.S. Department of Justice using prepaid money card services. The geographic location of the user’s IP address determines what payment services are offered. In addition to the ransomware, the Citadel malware continues to operate on the compromised computer and can be used to commit online banking and credit card fraud.
This is an attempt to extort money with the additional possibility of the victim’s computer being used to participate in online bank fraud. If you have received this or something similar, do not follow payment instructions.
But you will need to get some help to remove the virus from your computer.
Wow, this is a popular one right now. Here's another spin on the same scam:
ReplyDeleteOfficials with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration are warning residents about criminals posing as DEA special agents or other law enforcement personnel as part of an international extortion scheme, according to a release.
Officials say the scammers are calling people who previously purchased medication via the Internet or telephone and telling them those purchases are illegal. The people then tell the victims they can avoid further penalties by paying a “fine” by transferring funds electronically to an overseas location. Officials say the scammers threaten arrest or property seizure if the victims don’t pay.
Anyone receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be a DEA special agent or other law enforcement official seeking money should refuse the demand and report the threat by calling 877-792-2873.