Police in Fredericton are warning residents about an online virus that tricks computer users into thinking they are under investigation for accessing child pornography.

Some computer users are receiving the message in a pop-up window online, and are then told to pay a $100 fine or risk legal action.

Oromocto RCMP Cpl. James Christensen tells CTV News his detachment has received numerous calls from local residents about the message in the past few months.

Police say the message isn’t coming from them, and anybody who gets the message should contact them immediately.

Andrea Meade, who works at Fredericton computer repair service, says the shop has been averaging a call a day from users reporting an infected computer over the past few weeks.

Meade says having up-to-date anti-virus software is the foundation for preventing the virus from affecting computers.

She also says users shouldn’t click on any unfamiliar links, particularly those sent in an email message.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Nick Moore