WINDSOR, Ont. - The Mounties in Windsor are warning the public about a scam where a fraudulent message claims a person's computer has been frozen by the RCMP after being associated with pornography.
Police say users have complained they've been "locked out" of their computers after the pop-up messages demand a "$100 fine" via Ukash, an online cash payment provider.
The messages -- which police call "scareware" -- also say criminal proceedings will begin against the user if the "fine" is not paid within 72 hours.
The Mounties say the messages are a scam and have not been issued by the RCMP.
They are warning the public not to pay the fake fine and to contact their service provider to deal with the malware which has likely infected their computer.
Corp. Annette Bernardon says the scam isn't a new one -- it has been reported in various provinces over the past year -- but multiple complaints about the fake messages in the Windsor region prompted police to issue a warning.
Police are asking anyone who received such messages to report it to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
