BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) _ North Dakota Attorney General Wayne
Stenehjem (STEN'-juhm) is warning consumers about an Internet scam
in which perpetrators pose as the FBI in an attempt to extort
money.
Stenehjem says the phony warning appears on the computer screen
says the government has taken control of the computer because it
has been linked to illegal downloads of music, videos, pornography
or other items.
Stenehjem says computer users are instructed to purchase a
MoneyPak card and enter the card's code number to unlock the
computer. The ``warning'' is part of a virus that makes the
computer unusable.
Stenehjem says paying the supposed fine does not remove the
virus or unlock the computer. He says ``it simply puts money in the
pocket of the scam artist.''