SCAM ALERT: Cyber criminals masquerade as ICE Cyber Crimes Center to extort $$ from web users

Online scammers have employed a new hoax to extort money from web users in the name of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Cyber Crimes Center, according to a news release from the US Department of Homeland Security.

The latest version of this scam — which has imitated the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center in the past — lures victims to a drive-by download website, at which time ransomware is installed on the user’s computer.

Once installed, the computer freezes. Then the user is warned that his or her computer has been blocked due to federal criminal violations. The user is then instructed to pay the ICE Cyber Crimes Center $400 within 48 hours to have the computer unlocked.

If you have received this message, do not follow the payment instructions. This is a hoax — not a legitimate communication from ICE, according to a news release from the Department of Homeland Security.

Instead, it is suggested that you:

• File a complaint at http://www.IC3.gov.
• Keep operating systems and legitimate antivirus and antispyware software updated.
• Contact a reputable computer expert to assist with removing the malware.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit http://www.ICE.gov To re.port suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.