A public warning was issued yesterday about computer malware known as “police ransomware”, which involves the misuse of the Malta Police Force logo.

Anyone who has been deceived into paying the ransom money is encouraged to lodge a police report

The police said that infected computers displayed a message claiming that the computer had been “suspended on grounds of unauthorised cyber activity” and that a fine had to be paid for it to be unblocked. Usually, the user will notice that the computer has seized up or that documents are no longer accessible.

In almost all cases, paying the ransom did not restore the computer to its original state, the police said.

They advised the public that no law enforcement agency collected fines in this manner and that such messages were fraudulent.

“Anyone who has been deceived into paying the ransom money is encouraged to lodge a police report providing as much information as possible.

“This should include a screenshot of the ransom message presented, payment information, details of the activity being undertaken on the computer when the ransom message appeared as well as the date and time when this happened,” the police said.

No reports of people falling victim to this malware have yet been made.