Computer Hackers Try to Extort Cinnaminson Man: Police

Hackers tried to extort a township resident this week by infecting his computer, then demanding he pay them to fix it, police said. 

According to Cinnaminson Police, the resident received a phone call Wednesday afternoon from individuals who claimed they were from Microsoft Windows. They told him that "Windows had detected that he was being hacked" and they were going to have to revoke the computer's Windows license.

The callers directed the resident to a remote desktop website, took over control of his computer, and then installed malicious software on the computer, police said. The hackers then demanded immediate payment to "fix" the computer.

The victim told police the callers spoke English with an Indian accent and transferred him twice, from "Jason" to Jason's supervisor "James Watson," and then to a third, unnamed female supervisor. 

Residents should be aware that Microsoft does not call people regarding hackers, viruses or malware, police said.