Global Internet Scam Hits Computers In OKC - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

A worldwide computer scam has made its way to the metro, putting thousands of users at risk. The scam locks your computer and says the FBI has tracked you for inappropriate cyber activity. The FBI, however, says they have nothing to do with this.

The scary part about this scam is that it looks legit with the FBI seal. Even worse is that it is a "drive-by virus" that users can pick up simply by surfing the web. It's happening around the world and in Moore

"Everything looked official. It was the FBI logo, FBI.gov links, all of it. It looked very official and it said ‘If you will click this link and go here and pay us $200 we will unlock the computer for you.'" said Joshua Baird of Brand Name Mattress.

And just trying to reboot your computer won't make this problem go away.

"It's a huge shock and of course you want your computer back and running up quickly so the temptation to go in and just give them $200 to be done with it and get on with business," said Jenine Ary, co-owner of Brand Name Mattress,

The computer at this metro business is still locked. Their files are lost. And FBI special agents say scammers are getting savvy.

"They use engineering technique to use to intimidate the recipient into believing that the email is legitimate. They may even use the director of the FBI or the FBI seal, but these are…scams it is not new," said Special Agent Rickey Rains.

Remember, even if you are successful at unlocking your computer, chances are you are exposing your hard drive to additional damage. Experts say the best thing to do is run multiple antivirus scans to protect your computer.

If you fall victim to the scam, you can report it to the FBI Internet crimes division.

Visit the FBI Cyber Crimes Unit web page.