Computer Held Ransom, Resident Sends $5,700: Report

PALOS HILLS, IL — A resident received a remote message that their computer had been infected with a virus around 12:30 p.m. Aug. 20 The message instructed the resident to send $5,700 worth of gift cards to Minnesota, after which the virus would be removed.

Walmart refused to sell the gift cards to the resident, police said. The resident sent cash instead via express mail. The resident eventually discovered that the virus was a scam.