The fake tech support scam

You know those ominous-seeming warnings that pop up on your computer screen? ask Vindu Goel and Suhasini Raj in The New

York Times. “Your computer has been infected with a virus. Call our toll-free number immediately for help.” Most people ignore them, but some do call the fake tech-support center—and 6 percent actually pay to “fix” a problem that never existed. They’re usually calling India, the “illicit backbone” of such fraud. Last week, law enforcement authorities, working with Microsoft, raided 16 such centers in New Delhi and arrested three dozen people. Last month, there were 10 similar raids. According to one study, some scammers can make upwards of $10 million in just two months. The scams are run by well-organized groups that share data and even use outsourced calling centers.