By Aneeka Simonis
E-CRIME analysis has detected dangerous ransomware on the corrupt USBs recently planted in residential and commercial letterboxes in Pakenham and Officer.
Police have revealed their investigation has attracted international interest from law enforcement agencies including the FBI and Scotland Yard and that local businesses were also targeted in the cyber scandal.
Malicious unmarked USBs were left in the pigeonholes of businesses operating out of Arena Shopping Centre in Officer as well as in residential mailboxes around the Bluehills Boulevard, Pakenham area around Thursday 15 September.
They were handed in to Pakenham police station where they were sent off to an e-Crime Squad detective who believe the USBs are corrupted by ransomware which gives the victim a deadline to pay up or lose their computer files.
Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Phil Jury revealed at least one person has fallen victim to the scam.
“They are believed to be corrupted with ransomware which the offender is thought to have purchased off the dark web and loaded onto the USBs. When someone puts them into their computer, it locks them out until they deposit electronic currency into the account,” Det Sgt Jury explained.
He said in some cases, victims were given 24 hours to pay the ransom in currency such as bitcoin.
Police have begun canvassing both target areas for CCTV footage, as well as doorknocking.
The Officer shopping centre has two pigeonhole areas which are both located outside the precinct, facing the car park.
Det Sgt Jury said the offender who planted the USBs was potentially from the area.
“They were deposited manually, so it’s likely they could be from the area,” he said.
Police advise anyone who comes across an unmarked USB to avoid plugging them into their computers, and hand them into the Pakenham police station.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
