The Belgian police warns internet users for scammers that try to trick users into paying for a free upgrade to Windows 10. According to the Federal Police the scammers are active since several days. They mail users with a reminder to pay for their upgrade to Windows 10. Payments have to be made with the prepaid creditcard from Paysafe.
"We advise anyone not to be tricked and not to pay. It's possible the scammers will insist several times to pay. You can safely ignore this."
Those who have already made a payment should inform the police and call the Paysafe hotline. If the balance of the card has not been used by the scammers it might be possible to block the payment. In the emails the scammers don't specifically mention Windows 10. It only states that the recipient of the mail has outstanding debt for the upgrade of Windows.
In the mail the scammers threaten with steps if the recipient doesn't want to pay, "our firm has decided to transfer the claim to the Belgian judicial officer with a request to collect the debt."
The mail also states movable assets and the recipient's salary will be seized. The total debt is €522 ($571) unless a payment of €50 ($54) is made using a Paysafe card. Although the mail doesn't mention Windows 10 it does talk about an upgrade that took place in December.
The mail is signed with Windows B.V. (the Dutch equivalent of an American LLC / British Ltd, or German GMBH) and signed by Mr. P.E. van der Zwaan.
Users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 are eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10 until the 26th of July.
