Internet Scam Warning Issued

BERLIN — The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has received several recent calls from citizens about an attempt to extort money from them while using the Internet.

It is believed that this is part of a widespread scheme to extort money from certain personal computer users.

The FBI has reported that this Citadel Malware delivers “Reveton Ransomware” to your personal computer. A victim is lured to a drive by download at which time the “Ransomeware” is installed on the user’s computer. Once installed, the computer freezes and a screen is displayed warning the user that they have violated federal law.

The message further states that the user’s IP address was identified by the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section as visiting child pornography or other illegal content.

To unlock the computer, the user is instructed to pay a fine using prepaid money card services. In addition to the “Ransomware”, the virus continues to be active on the computer and may be used to commit online banking and credit card fraud.

If you are a victim, it is suggested that you contact your banking institutions and file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.