PC tech support cold-calling scam

Thousands of UK users have received calls from companies - apparently based in Kolkata, India - claiming to have identified malicious software (malware) on their PCs and offering to fix it. This is an extract from a typical call. Before the footage begins, the caller has told the user how to view Windows' Activity Log and claimed the yellow and red warning symbols indicate "serious" malware infections (in fact they have no connection with malware). The user has then agreed to let the caller inspect their PC and has followed verbal instructions to connect to a third party via LogMeIn, a popular remote access service. Notice that the "Microsoft certified technician" who the caller claims is operating the PC does no damage to the system, installs no malware or spyware, and creates a restore point which he apparently intends to use later to return the system to its original state, although this proves unnecessary as no meaningful changes are made. Having been convinced that their system needs "cleaning", the user is ultimately invited to sign up for a £125 support contract. This contract will most likely be worthless but, unlike with some browser pop-up malware scams, there appears to be no attempt to steal additional sums through identity theft or credit card fraud. When the Guardian newspaper approached Pecon, one of the companies alleged to be associated with this type of scam, it claimed to be a legitimate tech support provider (http://bit.ly/aEbqfK). In a subsequent call, a colleague of the caller in this recording identified his employer's website as onlinepccare.com, a domain known to belong to Pecon. Call recorded on 20 July 2010.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• pc
• tech
• technical
• support
• scam
• kolkata
• cold
• call

[clitmint]

That was brave of you to actually allow these rats access to your computer.

[SharingEqualsCaring]

Note: At the end he said "I will pull up the registration form", however he said earlier his "junior technician is working on your computer from [ some bullshit location ] "

[TheRazgrizBlaze]

lol the 2 Indian scammers disliked this xD

[at0micsheep]

"we will provide free service for 2 years" ITS NOT FREE RETARD ! YOU WANT £125!! HOW IS THAT FREE!?

[HDGoalie]

these 'technicians' are so fucking retarded... at least use a name like 'apu' which is more believable than 'brad'

[GedTheWino]

cant blame a fella for trying to make a buck

[supermark98]

wish the user had some type of call-tracing device to see where this caller was coming from so he could pass the info to their local authorities.

[ianchard]

Thank you so much for this -- there are very few videos which actually show what they do when they get remote access. It shows that this is just about the money, and nothing more sinister (as if that wasn't enough!).

I'd be very interested to see the form they wanted you to fill in. Do you have a copy?

[weswii]

Lol i let them in on vmware

[agoodm]

This guy sounds just like the one I strung along for over 38 minutes with tales about how I couldnt pay for my software maintenance because they didnt take cash and I stored my money in my mattress...

[bustermk2]

I kept one going for nearly 10 minutes before revealing that I actually owned an Apple.

[Windows7Fan1]

Heh, that person who was sparking to the guy is stupid XD