According to Firstpost, FTC has filed charges against six so-called tech support companies including Pecon Software, Lakshmi Infosoul Services, Finmaestros LLC, Zeal IT Solutions, Virtual PC Solutions and PCCare247, Inc., for running the “scareware” scheme on tens of thousands of victims. A U.S. District Court judge, at the agency’s request had ordered to freeze $180,000 in assets belonging to these six companies. It has also taken measures to block phone lines and websites the companies used to contact customers.

According to FTC chairman Jon Leibowitz, “the frozen assets could be distributed to victims once they are identified.” But he warned it’s rare to “get 100 percent back in restitution.”

“These so-called tech support scams are the latest variation of scareware. “They have taken scareware to a whole other level of virtual mayhem. Today’s announcement is a wake-up call to computer users around the globe,” continued Leibowitz.

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