Child porn scam alert (From St Helens Star)

Child porn scam alert

9:36am Thursday 29th July 2010

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COMPUTER users are being warned of a scam which sees a rogue IT company contact people warning child porn has been found on their PC’s hard drive.

Fraudsters are cold calling households falsely claiming they have been monitoring the unsuspecting target’s computer and found indecent images.

The conmen say they can remove the images for a £160 fee but need the permission of the PC’s owner to remotely log on their computer to clear the files.

The warning came from a Lea Green-based company 8 I.T Services, who say scammers are playing on fears to effectively steal money from the PC owner and personal data from their hard drives.

Details emerged after several residents took their computers to PC engineers to fix issues caused by the tricksters.

But the sensitive nature of the con has led to suspicions many of the calls have gone unreported.

Laurence Lai, director of 8 I.T Services, said he felt it was important to warn Star readers.

He said: “The homeowners are asked to give some key information which allows these people to effectively take control of their PC.

“It seems they then download all sorts of rogue software that could in effect disable the computer. They then request £160 to remove the ‘images’.

“More disturbingly as they have control of the PC they can literally take all personal information from the computer should it be stored there.”

Steve Fairhurst, also a director, said companies do not have access to anyone’s computer unless they are granted permission.

He said: "They have no idea what’s on anyone’s computer.

"What they are doing is spinning lies and frightening people in order to scam money and personal details out of them.” It is believed the fraudsters claim to be from respected software companies as part of the confidence trick.

St Helens Council’s Trading Standards are expected to investigate the report.

• HAVE you been a victim? Write to us at the Star or comment below.

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