Police warn of Bitcoin 'ransom' scam targeting millions of email users
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned of a 'mass spamming event' targeting millions of email users in order to collect their personal financial details.
The activity has seen small and medium businesses receiving what looks like legitimate communications from banks with an attachment which, when opened, encrypts the user's computer with malicious software.
A screen then appears demanding the payment of two Bitcoins (around £536) in return for the decryption key.
Deputy head of the National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU), Lee Miles, commented: "The NCA are actively pursuing organised crime groups committing this type of crime. We are working in cooperation with industry and international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible and reduce the risk to the public."
The NCCU has asked anyone whose computer has been infected to report it to www.actionfraud.police.uk and advises anyone who receives a suspicious email not to open any attachments.
The advice for infected machines is to disconnect it and contact a professional to clear it.