Devon & Cornwall Police warn of Internet scam

Devon and Cornwall Police are warning the public about an Internet scam. They have recieved several calls from people reporting an online pop-up message claiming to be from Strathclyde Police.

The message states that police have locked the computer because it has been used to view adult content online. It asks the user to call a number and pay a fine over the phone. The computer screen does lock in most cases.

Strathclyde Police have informed the public that this is an Internet scam and has absolutely nothing to do with them. They state that they would never ask the public for money under such circumstances, and urge people who receive the message not to follow the instructions or call the number.

Strathclyde Police's Computer Crime Unit are carrying out enquiries to trace the source of the scam, and have asked anyone who receives the message to contact them as soon as possible on the non-emergency telephone number 0141 532 2000.

Have you or anyone you know received a similar pop-up message? Could you fall for a scam like this?