Tuesday, March 12, 2013
COMPUTER VIRUS SCAM/ADVANCE PAYMENT FEE SCAM - PUBLIC ADVISORY
The Winnipeg Police Service and the Commercial Crime Unit in particular, have been receiving numerous phone calls from members of the public regarding a scam in which callers purport to be calling on behalf of Microsoft or another legitimate company.
The scam involves the caller, usually from outside of Manitoba, making the potential victim believe that their computer is infected with a virus or is sending out error messages. The caller then offers to run a scan of the computer if the potential victim allows him/her to gain remote access to their computers.
If access is allowed, they will then pretend to run a scan and report that your computer is infected. The caller will then try to convince you to purchase anti-virus software right away to remove the infection. The fee may be a one-time payment or an on-going subscription. While they are accessing the computer they can infect it with a virus and or install a key logger which will allow them to log each key stroke that the user makes thereby gaining access to usernames and passwords as well as other sensitive personal and or business information stored on the computer.
To avoid falling victim to this scam, the Winnipeg Police Service advises the following:
- Avoid the scam by hanging up on the caller.
- If you receive an unsolicited phone call from someone about your computer system's security status, hang up.
- NEVER give a stranger remote access to your computer.
- Do not give out your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you have made the call to a trusted source.
- Make sure your computer is protected with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall - but only purchase the software from a source that you know and trust.
If you think you have provided your account details to a "scammer" contact your bank or financial institution immediately. If you have allowed remote access to your computer, take the computer to a local computer forensic outlet and have it examined professionally.
Recently, a victim received a computer virus scam call at which time remote access was provided. It is believed that the suspect(s) obtained personal information about the victim, specifically her timeshare. Shortly thereafter, the victim received an unsolicited call from a potential buyer regarding her timeshare. An agreement was made to sell the timeshare resulting in the victim providing additional personal information, including proceeds to transfer money to the suspects in order to complete the transaction.
If members of the public have been contacted in this manner but have not victimized, we ask them to notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
If anyone has been victimized financially, they are asked to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and make a report to police.
For further information on scams, please click on the following link:
http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/recognizeit_haveibeenscammed.html
BREAK AND ENTER – ARREST C13-47479
On March 11, 2013 at approximately 9:10 p.m., Uniform Patrol and members of the Canine Unit responded to a residence located in the 400 block of Hethrington Avenue due to a break and enter in progress.
It was determined that the homeowner arrived at his residence and was confronted by a male suspect coming up from his basement. The suspect produced a knife and confronted the 24 year old male resident.
The suspect fled on foot at which time police were summoned.
Members of the Canine Unit tracked the suspect to the area of Lilac Street and Beresford Avenue. It was at this time the suspect was arrested and taken into police custody.
Stolen property was recovered at this time.
David FERLAND, 39 yearshas been charged with the following offences due to his alleged involvement:
Break, Enter a Place
Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
He was detained.
BREAK, ENTER AND THEFT – ARRESTS R13-16441
On March 10, 2013 at approximately 4:00 a.m., a detached garage located in the 800 block of Polson Avenue was broken-into by a male suspect and a Pontiac Sunfire was stolen.
Between March 10th and 11th, 2013, a male suspect broke into a vehicle (Hyundai) parked in the area of the 600 block of Parr Street. It was at this time a variety of property was stolen from within the vehicle.
On March 11, 2013 at approximately 3:00 p.m., the male suspect, now in the company of several other males while operating the previously stolen Sunfire became involved in a motor vehicle collision in the area of Fife Street. The driver and occupants fled the area in the stolen vehicle.
At approximately 6:25 p.m., District 3 Uniform Patrol observed the stolen vehicle being operated in the area of Adsum Drive and Mandalay Drive. The suspects eventually fled from the vehicle; however Uniform Patrol and members of the Canine Unit located and arrested three male suspects.
Three males, 13, 14 and 15 years of age are facing several charges which include:
Break, Enter, Theft Under $5000.00, Flight from Police and Possess Goods Obtained by Crime including Highway Traffic Act offences.
They were released on a Promise to Appear.
DRUG – ARREST C13-47480
On March 11, 2013 at approximately 9:10 p.m., members of the District 3 Community Support Unit conducted a traffic stop in the area of Main Street and Redwood Avenue.
Officers made contact with the driver of the vehicle at which time particulars were obtained. It was determined that the driver was breaching conditions of a court order resulting in his arrest.
Upon taking custody of the male, he proceeded to place the vehicle into drive in attempt to flee from police. Officers attempted to contain the suspect vehicle at which time the suspect drove up onto the sidewalk area. He then turned back onto Main Street striking a police cruiser. The suspect was taken into custody at this time and found to be in possession of a quantity of illegal drugs.
The male continued to be aggressive and combative with officers.
A 36 year old male has been charged with numerous offences which include:
Possessing Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine, Marihuana) x 2
Possess Proceeds of Crime
Obstruct/Resist Peace Officer
Fail to Comply with Condition Recognizance
Assault Peace Officer x 4
Flight from Police Officer
HTA offences
He was detained.
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