Student from Parkstone warns people not to fall for internet scam (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Student from Parkstone warns people not to fall for internet scam
12:00pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News By Juliette Astrup
COSTLY: George Hunt, whose computer was maliciously attacked by a virus
A STUDENT who paid £100 to internet scammers masquerading as Cheshire Police’s e-crime unit has warned others not to do the same.
George Hunt, 18, panicked when he turned on his computer and up flashed an official-looking letter, apparently from the police, claiming he was being fined for downloading films illegally.
The lighting design student from Parkstone, who admits to downloading a couple of old movies, was horrified to read he had 72 hours to pay the fine, or face criminal proceedings which could result in up to six years in prison and a £2,500 fine.
He told the Echo: “It scared me – that’s what made me straight away go off to the Co-op and get the Ukash voucher to pay it.
“The last thing I want is trouble of any kind. I thought it was something which could affect my future career, which will involve travelling backwards and forwards to America – and you can’t get into America with any kind of criminal record.”
The creepy virus which took over his computer even used his own web cam to take his photo – which appeared on the scamming letter, along with official-looking police insignia and logos.
“That was pretty freaky,” he added.
“The letter does look very genuine. It even had ‘copyright of United Kingdom Police’ written at the bottom.”
George eventually told his dad Richard what had happened. He called Cheshire Police who confirmed it was a scam. He also managed to stop the payment before it went through.
Richard told the Echo: “The thing that bothered me the most was the fact that it was able to take a photo of you in your bedroom. It’s like being burgled.”
He said Cheshire Police had been inundated with calls from people who had had the same phoney letter appear on their computers.
George added: “I want other people to be aware and let them know it’s a hoax.
“People need to be careful – and have the appropriate security on their computers.”
The incident was referred to Action Fraud, a multi-agency police-led national body which works to tackle fraud and internet crime.
An Action Fraud spokesperson said: “We urge the public to be on guard against this type of scam – known as ‘ransom-ware’.
“The police, or other law enforcement agencies, would never contact people and demand funds in this way.
“If you receive a message like this, do not transfer any money or purchase vouchers and report the attack to us on 0300 1232040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk.”
Comments(34)
ragj195
says...
12:50pm Wed 20 Feb 13
awsokend
says...
12:59pm Wed 20 Feb 13
quite normal for this site you know
l'anglais
says...
1:09pm Wed 20 Feb 13
As he has admitted to the illegal downloading of "old movies".
ifordanglia
says...
1:12pm Wed 20 Feb 13
I run my own business and recently received what purports to be a request to confirm the business details for a business directory. Just sign here to confirm.
Previous experience told me to read the small print. If you sign you are agreeing to £3000 worth of directory entries..........!!!
No, I didn't sign and no it was all in perfect English. Spanish addressed prepaid reply envelope was a bit puzzling though.
I scanned it all and emailed it to Royal Mail Security as the outer envelope bore their prepaid customer's number.
Mind how you go.
Third Rate Les
says...
1:25pm Wed 20 Feb 13
*mind boggles*
stevobath
says...
2:27pm Wed 20 Feb 13
l'anglais wrote:Typical of your' posts....
Could the Echo now pass on his details to the appropriate authorities.
As he has admitted to the illegal downloading of "old movies".
On another note.A simple call to Chesire Police BEFORE paying would've confirmed a scam.Talk about gullable!
As for downloading old films.Whats the point? You can buy a cheap enough copy on Amazon.As little as 1p!
l'anglais
says...
2:42pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Third Rate Les wrote:So people in their 80's and 90's who don't know what decade we're in let alone whether Churchill is in or out of Office, should be allowed to vote, cos they've got experience.
Meanwhile, school leavers have never been so qualified, and some would like the voting age lowered to sixteen.
*mind boggles*
Whereas bright 16 year olds, cannot.
Democracy is only fit for the dimmest amongst us anyway.
Isosceles
says...
3:03pm Wed 20 Feb 13
I bet he replies to all those emails from phishing sites giving them his bank account details and passwords (:o))
HRH of Boscombe
says...
3:06pm Wed 20 Feb 13
l'anglais wrote:Oh go back to you garlic trainspotting group where you might be appreciated.
Could the Echo now pass on his details to the appropriate authorities. As he has admitted to the illegal downloading of "old movies".
.
Old movies ARE free and perfectly legal. They're even on youtube http://www.youtube.c
om/user/YouTubeMovie
sGB/videos?sort=dd&v
iew=26&tag_id=
iwishiwaslikeyou
says...
3:09pm Wed 20 Feb 13
l'anglais wrote:So what reduces these bright 16 year olds to 18 year old idiots then?
Third Rate Les wrote:So people in their 80's and 90's who don't know what decade we're in let alone whether Churchill is in or out of Office, should be allowed to vote, cos they've got experience.
Meanwhile, school leavers have never been so qualified, and some would like the voting age lowered to sixteen.
*mind boggles*
Whereas bright 16 year olds, cannot.
Democracy is only fit for the dimmest amongst us anyway.
hadvar
says...
3:42pm Wed 20 Feb 13
iwishiwaslikeyou wrote:Doing their A Levels, probably.
l'anglais wrote:So what reduces these bright 16 year olds to 18 year old idiots then?
Third Rate Les wrote:So people in their 80's and 90's who don't know what decade we're in let alone whether Churchill is in or out of Office, should be allowed to vote, cos they've got experience.
Meanwhile, school leavers have never been so qualified, and some would like the voting age lowered to sixteen.
*mind boggles*
Whereas bright 16 year olds, cannot.
Democracy is only fit for the dimmest amongst us anyway.
HRH of Boscombe
says...
3:48pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Isosceles wrote:More like the pop up with some woman asking what you're up to tonight. How do you reckon he got the virus in the first place lol?
Children as young as this shouldn't be let loose on the internet! I bet he replies to all those emails from phishing sites giving them his bank account details and passwords (:o))
guisselle
says...
4:48pm Wed 20 Feb 13
scrumpyjack
says...
5:05pm Wed 20 Feb 13
HRH of Boscombe wrote:Exactly.
Isosceles wrote:More like the pop up with some woman asking what you're up to tonight. How do you reckon he got the virus in the first place lol?
Children as young as this shouldn't be let loose on the internet! I bet he replies to all those emails from phishing sites giving them his bank account details and passwords (:o))
I'm sure he was not scared into paying because he had been looking at 'dodgy' sites....
I have seen this trojan and it states you may (key word) have been looking at child p o r n, terrorist sites and a heap of random 'catch all' crud.
They are a devil to get rid of mind and they are clever enough to switch on your webcam and "record for the purposes of criminal evidence".
Only the truly innocent will not be tempted to cough up IMHO.
l'anglais
says...
5:21pm Wed 20 Feb 13
iwishiwaslikeyou wrote:Rather a sweeping unintelligent ageist comment.
l'anglais wrote:So what reduces these bright 16 year olds to 18 year old idiots then?
Third Rate Les wrote:So people in their 80's and 90's who don't know what decade we're in let alone whether Churchill is in or out of Office, should be allowed to vote, cos they've got experience.
Meanwhile, school leavers have never been so qualified, and some would like the voting age lowered to sixteen.
*mind boggles*
Whereas bright 16 year olds, cannot.
Democracy is only fit for the dimmest amongst us anyway.
An Alzheimer's sufferer can offer what with their democratic vote exactly?
iwishiwaslikeyou
says...
5:26pm Wed 20 Feb 13
l'anglais wrote:What is ageist about that comment? As usual you have to resort to offensive remarks that make no point at all
iwishiwaslikeyou wrote:Rather a sweeping unintelligent ageist comment.
l'anglais wrote:So what reduces these bright 16 year olds to 18 year old idiots then?
Third Rate Les wrote:So people in their 80's and 90's who don't know what decade we're in let alone whether Churchill is in or out of Office, should be allowed to vote, cos they've got experience.
Meanwhile, school leavers have never been so qualified, and some would like the voting age lowered to sixteen.
*mind boggles*
Whereas bright 16 year olds, cannot.
Democracy is only fit for the dimmest amongst us anyway.
An Alzheimer's sufferer can offer what with their democratic vote exactly?
BIGTONE
says...
5:53pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Can I have a £100 please before I switch your lights off!
MJD
says...
7:40pm Wed 20 Feb 13
djkent
says...
8:22pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Hobad1
says...
9:03pm Wed 20 Feb 13
l'anglais wrote:Could the Echo now pass on your details?.....for being a complete ar$e and WUM. I look forward to receiving another warning from the Echo about how my comments are upsetting people, when you complain again about me anglais.
Could the Echo now pass on his details to the appropriate authorities.
As he has admitted to the illegal downloading of "old movies".
ashleycross
says...
9:16pm Wed 20 Feb 13
twynham
says...
9:48pm Wed 20 Feb 13
.
Could equally apply to some of the previous comments!
username is already in use
says...
10:09pm Wed 20 Feb 13
l'anglais
says...
10:26pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Hobad1 wrote:I didn't complain about you sweetie...
l'anglais wrote:Could the Echo now pass on your details?.....for being a complete ar$e and WUM. I look forward to receiving another warning from the Echo about how my comments are upsetting people, when you complain again about me anglais.
Could the Echo now pass on his details to the appropriate authorities.
As he has admitted to the illegal downloading of "old movies".
I just hung you out to dry.....
l'anglais
says...
10:31pm Wed 20 Feb 13
iwishiwaslikeyou wrote:If you find Alzheimer's offensive then you need to get out a bit more.
l'anglais wrote:What is ageist about that comment? As usual you have to resort to offensive remarks that make no point at all
iwishiwaslikeyou wrote:Rather a sweeping unintelligent ageist comment.
l'anglais wrote:So what reduces these bright 16 year olds to 18 year old idiots then?
Third Rate Les wrote:So people in their 80's and 90's who don't know what decade we're in let alone whether Churchill is in or out of Office, should be allowed to vote, cos they've got experience.
Meanwhile, school leavers have never been so qualified, and some would like the voting age lowered to sixteen.
*mind boggles*
Whereas bright 16 year olds, cannot.
Democracy is only fit for the dimmest amongst us anyway.
An Alzheimer's sufferer can offer what with their democratic vote exactly?
Most 18 year old's are bright and switched on.
If they are not, it is more likely due to poor education received at the hands of fools who make sweeping unintellectual comments about the "Youth of today".
jakeysredd
says...
10:49pm Wed 20 Feb 13
awsokend wrote:Ive got a poor grandma
broken English or poor grammar.
quite normal for this site you know
politicaltrainspotter
says...
11:30am Thu 21 Feb 13
s-pb2
says...
1:31pm Thu 21 Feb 13
Liberty Belle
says...
6:47pm Thu 21 Feb 13
Hobad1
says...
8:40pm Thu 21 Feb 13
l'anglais wrote:you wish.
Hobad1 wrote:I didn't complain about you sweetie...
l'anglais wrote:Could the Echo now pass on your details?.....for being a complete ar$e and WUM. I look forward to receiving another warning from the Echo about how my comments are upsetting people, when you complain again about me anglais.
Could the Echo now pass on his details to the appropriate authorities.
As he has admitted to the illegal downloading of "old movies".
I just hung you out to dry.....
Hobad1
says...
8:47pm Thu 21 Feb 13
l'anglais wrote:what a friggin' muppet anglais is. His/Her/Its comments have the thought process of a 2 year old. `Research' anglais....`research
iwishiwaslikeyou wrote:If you find Alzheimer's offensive then you need to get out a bit more.
l'anglais wrote:What is ageist about that comment? As usual you have to resort to offensive remarks that make no point at all
iwishiwaslikeyou wrote:Rather a sweeping unintelligent ageist comment.
l'anglais wrote:So what reduces these bright 16 year olds to 18 year old idiots then?
Third Rate Les wrote:So people in their 80's and 90's who don't know what decade we're in let alone whether Churchill is in or out of Office, should be allowed to vote, cos they've got experience.
Meanwhile, school leavers have never been so qualified, and some would like the voting age lowered to sixteen.
*mind boggles*
Whereas bright 16 year olds, cannot.
Democracy is only fit for the dimmest amongst us anyway.
An Alzheimer's sufferer can offer what with their democratic vote exactly?
Most 18 year old's are bright and switched on.
If they are not, it is more likely due to poor education received at the hands of fools who make sweeping unintellectual comments about the "Youth of today".
' your topic then YOU might begin to understand.
tommytoyou
says...
9:21pm Thu 21 Feb 13
HRH of Boscombe wrote:you're being quite naive if you think he panicked about this letter and went to pay straight away if he's only been watching free and legal movies
l'anglais wrote:Oh go back to you garlic trainspotting group where you might be appreciated.
Could the Echo now pass on his details to the appropriate authorities. As he has admitted to the illegal downloading of "old movies".
.
Old movies ARE free and perfectly legal. They're even on youtube http://www.youtube.c
om/user/YouTubeMovie
sGB/videos?sort=dd&a
mp;v
iew=26&tag_id=
scrumpyjack
says...
1:50pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Liberty Belle wrote:How much did that cost you? (if you don't mind me asking)
I had a similar experience as this student. The perpetrators had locked my screen, posted an official looking letter from the F.B.I., and demanded several hundred dollars within 72 hours, else my computer would be destroyed by a virus. I figured it was a scam. I took my computer in for service and had it throughly cleaned and reset. Obviously this is an international scam.
speedy231278 says...
12:14pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Somehow, one of these things managed to bypass the security stuff on my PC, and all it takes is restarting in safe mode, running a full scan with readily available and FREE anti malware software, and it's gone. In my case, no more alleged warnings from the 'FBI' that I might have being doing something naughty, although the list of alleged offences on it was so wide that anyone who has ever set foot out of doors must have done several of them....!