Microsoft aids in arrests of suspected software fraudsters

Vendor continues its fight against computer con men in latest case

Microsoft has assisted police in the arrest of software fraudsters accused of conning members of the public.

A 64-year-old man from Birmingham, along with a man and a woman in their thirties from Swindon and Birmingham respectively, were detained by police and released pending further investigation.

A 65-year-old woman was questioned without the need for arrest, while a further suspect is still being hunted.

Microsoft said that suspects were involved in scams that would see a member of the public receive a phone call or pop-up on their computer, wrongly claiming that there is a problem with their machine.

The alleged scammers would use this as a means to gain remote access to the computer, before installing malware or stealing personal data.

Microsoft said it supported National Trading Standards and the police with "specialist investigative services".

Abrahim Bakhtiar, senior attorney at Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, said: "Criminals are always seeking new and increasingly clever ways to deceive people and steal their money.

"We'd like to reassure everyone that Microsoft will never cold call you out of the blue to offer tech support or send you pop-ups on your computer asking you to call a number."

This is not the first time Microsoft has aided law enforcement in a case of this nature, with the vendor previously having helped to jail a con man who robbed victims of more than £400,000.

Jonathan Frost of City of London Police's National Fraud Intelligence Bureau said: "If you receive an unexpected call from anyone suggesting that there is a problem with your computer, you should simply hang up.

"Criminals often claim that computers have been infected with malware or viruses, they may also offer you a refund in connection with your internet service or suggest that your bank account is being targeted by cybercriminals."