AFP Warns About Phony Traffic-Themed Emails

Afp.gov.au reported on 28th April, 2015 stating that Australian Federal Police (AFP), the federal police agency of Australia, is now warning public about a fake email which is presently circulating in Australia and also across the world asking for payment for a phony AFP Traffic Infringement Notice.

The email scam first instructs the recipient to give an 'AFP fine' of around $150. If the recipient clicks the enclosed link, his/her computer will be tainted with malware making it non-operative.

At that time, the ransomware gets activated and the recipients are told to pay thousand of dollars to get their computer reactivated.

Afp.gov.au reported on 28th April, 2015 quoting Adrian Norris, AFP National Coordinator Cyber Crime, as saying that this email scam has blown out of proportion, looking genuine and so several individuals have been hijacked also because of which I would request people to be cautious. AFP never distributes traffic infringement notifications via email and if you have got an email which seems to be associated to AFP and you have doubts about its authenticity, then do not make any payment or disclose your personal details.

The fake infringement notice contains the logo of AFP as well as a Commonwealth of Australia 2015 copyright.

3aw.com.au published news on 28th April, 2015 quoting Norris as saying "Anyone who has received the email should immediately delete it."

He added that they are working with their federal partners here to look at the origins of it.

Anthony Hill, a Canberra driver, was one of the residents who received this scam email.

Mr. Hill recently returned from abroad and inspected and he was shocked and surprised to find that the notice did not come via post and .

When he further inspected, he found that the email was dated 2011.

He said that initially he was shocked and taken aback as the date of the infringement was 7/4/2011 to be paid 10/5/2011.

Luckily, his computer advisor told him that it was probably a Windows virus and he blocked access to the link enclosed in the email.

Mr. Hill contacted police after having realized that the email was a scam.

People who think that they have received the scam email should report it to the Australian Cyber Crime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) through www.acorn.gov.au or ScamWatch through www.scamwatch.gov.au.

» SPAMfighter News - 4/30/2015