WEST Vancouver police are warning computer users to beware of fishy messages coming from the RCMP demanding money.
The department has received several recent complaints from residents targeted in the "Ukash" scam in which users find their computers frozen and unable to navigate away from a fraudulent message. In Canada, the message typically purports to be from the RCMP's cyber crime unit, advising that a fine must be paid in order for the computer to be unlocked. To pay the bogus fine, the scammers direct victims to go purchase a "Ukash" voucher from a store and input the voucher's pin number, which transfers funds to online thieves.
The RCMP, of course, does not freeze people's computers and demand payoffs to unfreeze them. The Ukash scam is triggered by a software virus circulating the web that is best removed with up-to-date antivirus software.
Police would like to remind residents that they should not be giving out information or providing money in any form to anyone that they do not know or trust.
