The malware scheme is designed to deceive and scare computer users into thinking the message is from the FBI.
The malware also tries to get users to pay a fine online and it can lock your computer.
According to the FBI, if your computer becomes infected, you will need help to get it unlocked. Donna Gregory, of the Federal Internet Crime Complaint Center says they are inundated with calls.
The Reveton Ransomware, as the FBI is calling it, locks the screen with a message saying "there has been a violation of federal law."
Users are then told to pay $200 via Moneypak order and the computer will remain locked until they do so.
Even more frightening, some of the viruses can turn on webcams and display the victim's picture in the locked screen.
The Internet Crime Complaint Center suggests the following if you are a victim: do not pay any money or provide any personal information, call a computer professional to remove the virus and file a complaint and look for updates on the IC3 website here, http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx.
(Copyright © 2012 NBC Universal, All Rights Reserved)