A new malware scam is trying to dupe BitTorrent users into coughing up serious cash for illegally downloading copyrighted material.

The code displays a box with the message "Warning! Piracy detected!" and opens a web page purportedly run by a Swiss company "committed to promoting the cultural and economic benefits of copyright."

The fake company, the ICCP Foundation, also claims to be backed by the Recording Industry Association of America, the Motion Picture Association of America and others. "It appears to scan the user's hard drive for .torrent files and displays these as 'evidence' of an earlier infringement," wrote TorrentFreak, which first disclosed the malware.

Victims are are warned of possible imprisonment and fines, and given the option of "settling" the "case" for a one-time payment of $400, by credit card.

The scam seems intended to capitalize on the recent news that an independent filmmakers association is targeting thousands of BitTorrent users in federal lawsuits, with the aim of reaching quick settlements.

Security researcher Dancho Danchev quipped Monday that the scam "is perhaps the first recorded case of cybercriminals ignoring the basics of micropayments, and emphasizing on profit margins by attempting to extort the amount of $400."

He thinks those behind the latest malware are associated with the Koobface worm and a money-mule recruitment campaign.

As F-Secure Labs advises: "Refuse to pay money to these clowns!"

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