Connecticut authorities are warning online consumers to be alert for a new “drive-by” Internet virus carrying a fake message and claiming to impose a so-called fine from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The state attorney general and the state’s consumer watchdog warned Thursday that digital thieves may be targeting email addresses owned by Connecticut residents, Attorney General George Jepsen and state Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein warned today.
According to Attorney General George Jepsen, the virus is designed to extort money from its victims. An email purportedly from the FBI contains a Web link that, once clicked and opened, downloads and installs a virus on the user’s computer.
The virus immediately locks the computer and displays a screen stating there has been a violation of federal law and that the user’s IP address was identified by the FBI for viewing child pornography and other illegal content.
The message then demands money through a prepaid money card service as a “fine” to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Jepsen said his office has received complaints from consumers who may have been victimized “by this malicious email scam.”
If you believe you are the victim of this or any other Internet crime, or if you are aware of an attempted crime, complaints can be filed with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, on its Web site at www.ic3.gov.
