On Jan. 28 the Williams Lake RCMP received a call for service from a local business advising that when an employee went to start her computer, a pop-up message appeared stating that the computer was blocked due to a cyber crime and the Cyber Crime Investigation Unit was investigating.
She was advised that she needed to send $100 electronically to get it unblocked and avoid further problems.
"This is a scam and you should avoid opening these type of messages or responding to them at all costs," safer communities co-ordinator Dave Dickson said. "When you see a pop-up menu on a computer, your best friend is the delete button."
Dickson said the public needs to be aware of this recent scam and any other phone or Internet type scams that are presently circulating in the area.
On Jan. 30, Insp. Warren Brown sent out another notice that several people have contacted the RCMP about receiving the same scam.
Anyone who may have information regarding this incident or any other crime is encouraged to contact the RCMP at 250-392-6111 or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS (8477).
Crime Stoppers also subscribes to web tips at www.bccrimestopppers.ca