Lethbridge Police are cautioning the public about a Ransomware scam.

The detachment’s economic crimes unit has received a number of complaints in relation to the scam.

Acting Staff Sergeant Cathy MacDonald tells 660News, when to know if you’re a potential victim of this crime:

“What’s associated to it, is this request saying that the police have noticed that your machine is looking at something illegal, like child pornography and it’s requesting you to send some money, that’s where the actual crime takes place,” said MacDonald.

MacDonald cautions police would never communicate in this way and never send money to someone you don’t know.