Picked up a virus scam this evening.

It must have been a drive by script on an otherwise safe website, because I received a very official looking warning screen purporting to be City of London Police.

It informed me that my PC was blocked and gave half a dozen possible reasons, from "using or distributing copyright material illegally" to "downloading obscene images".

They even tried to convince me that this might be happening without my knowledge or consent, but that if such were the case, I would be guilty of "failure to exercise reasonable care".

In any case, they said, the matter could be settled by payment, within 72 hours, of a £100 fine.

Two methods of payment were authorised: eKASH, or prepayment card. Non payment within 72 hours would "result in criminal action", and my PC would remain blocked.

Ten minutes with my antivirus/antimalware took care of that, but be warned, it does look particularly genuine.

Don T.