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.
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.
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