MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. — West Hennepin police are warning the public about a dangerous new computer scam that could be headed toward the metro.
They posted on their Facebook page that their IT team has been warned about the scam, although they haven't seen any cases in their area yet.
In the scam, the victim receives an email claiming their computer has been loaded with child porn, and that they have to pay a certain amount in Bitcoin, or the FBI will be tipped off.
If the victim clicks the link in the email, it is forwarded to a malware site. That site begins downloading child porn on their computer and creates fake entries in their browsing history.
If they don't pay, the scammers anonymously tip off the FBI.
West Hennepin police say their computer forensic team would be able to recognize if child porn was planted on a computer, and they want to make sure no one falls for this scam.
