Harrow Police are warning people about a computer scam which impersonates the Metropolitan Police’s e-Crime Unit.

In the past two days, Harrow Police have had two reports of people being targeted by this scam and police have received 1,100 reports of the malicious software affecting people’s computers across the UK.

On 36 of these occasions people have paid money and each lost £100.

The malicious software works by infecting personal computers after users have accessed certain websites.

The virus causes the computer to freeze and lock with a message claiming to be from the e-Crime Unit advising users they are required to pay a fine to unlock the computer.

The Metropolitan Police has said that genuine law enforcement agencies would never contact members of the public in this way.

The force is advising anyone who has seen such a message and handed over money to report the matter to their card issuer immediately and to call police on 101.

Police are continuing to try and trace those responsible for the scam but no arrests have yet been made.