The suspects, two men and a woman, are from Stoke on Trent

Dec 13, 2012 16:00 GMT  ·  By

The Metropolitan Police’s Central e-Crime Unit (PCeU) have arrested three individuals suspected of using ransomware to trick people into wiring them money.

A number of three residences were raided on December 11. The suspects, all from Stoke on Trent, have been detained by the Staffordshire Police, which assisted the PCeU in the investigation.

A 34-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman are accused of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and possession of items for use in fraud, and the third suspect, a 26-year-old man, is accused of conspiracy to defraud.

“The arrests shows we are determined to combat this type of crime. I remind all computer users that police do not use such a method to impose or enforce fines, so if you are confronted by such a page do not enter any of your details. Call police on 101,” PCeU Detective Inspector Jason Tunn said.