A new email scam threatens recipients with paedophilia court charges

The police have issued a warning over a new scam circulating via email – a fake court summons signed by former police chief Lawrence Cutajar over supposed criminal offences related to paedophilia and child abuse. 

The email comes with an attachment which, when opened, is a letter purportedly written on the instructions of Cutajar.

Cutajar had resigned in January 2020 after coming under fire for his failure to investigate allegations of corruption.

The scam court summons has the crests of the Malta police force, Interpol and the official government logo.

“I am contacting you shortly after a cyber-infiltration computer sweep (permitted specifically related to child pornography, pornographic website, cyber pornography) to inform you that you are the subject of several applicable criminal proceedings,” the letter states.

It asks recipients to send their justification by email within 72 hours so they can be examined and verified.

The letter also states that a report will be filed with Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti, who is described as the “Head of Justice at the Court of Malta”, so he can draft an arrest warrant and forward it to the “brigade” nearest the recipient’s home.

The person...