Scammers are planting pornographic virus alerts to sell free anti-virus software, demanding payment in bitcoin to cover their tracks, with Tasmanians falling victim to the technical support scam.
Detectives say two northwest Tasmanians were using the internet when a pop-up pornographic image appeared with a message saying their computer was infected and advising them to call "technical support".
When the victims dialled the number the person answering the phone sold them anti-virus software, requesting payment by internet currency bitcoin.
Victims are directed to a local store where they can buy bitcoins and those funds are then transferred to another account.
"It's quite new, particularly for rural Tasmania," Detective Sergeant Gen Hickman told AAP.
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The anti-virus software sold in the scam is normally available online for free and the pop-up can be removed if users restart their device, Det Sgt Hickman said.
Retailers who sell or deal with bitcoin are also warned to be aware of the scam.
