Visitors to the fraudulent websites will receive this message. (U.S. Dept. of Justice Image)

Federal officials have seized six fraudulent websites that were part of an online scheme to deceive customers who were looking to set up new Amazon Echo devices.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Texas announced the investigation and seizure on Monday, led by the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Justice.

The seized websites contained photographs of Amazon Echo smart speakers and purported to offer services to help Amazon customers activate their devices. The websites had links to “download” the Alexa app, but instead simulated a phony download and returned an error message concerning a “failed download.” The sites then prompted customers to call specific telephone numbers for technical support with the application.

The DOJ reported that so-called “technicians” working for the website operators would take remote control of the customers’ computers and convince them that there were “technical issues” that prevented their Echo devices from working properly.

No such issues existed, and customers were duped into purchasing computer services to fix the fictional issues. The phony technicians charged customers — $99 for a two-year plan or $149 for a four-year plan — for otherwise-free and unnecessary steps like registering the Alexa software or providing network security.

U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox said the matter was referred to the Department of Justice by Amazon, and said working with the company was the first step toward “holding the wrongdoers accountable.”

Amazon is increasingly taking its own steps to crack down on fraud. In May, the company filed suit against companies in Washington state and India, alleging that they tricked new users of Echo speakers and other Alexa devices into paying for purported technical support. Other actions by the company have targeted everything from fraudulent email campaigns to get-rich-quick scams to fake customer reviews to sales of knock-off products.

Earlier this year Amazon launched its “Project Zero” anti-counterfeit program designed to help brands fight fake products.

Amazon says customers should report unsolicited emails and texts here, and the company has more information about decoding suspicious emails, phone calls, and webpages here.

The DOJ recommends a few steps consumers can follow to safeguard against such fraud schemes:

  • Before purchasing products or services to support electronic devices, check with the actual manufacturer or provider of those devices to determine whether those services are legitimate or necessary.
  • Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources.
  • Do not download software to allow unknown or unverified sources to access your computers or your devices.
  • Do not purchase services from telemarketers or online marketers when the solicitation lacks a written description of the services provided and for which no business address is provided.

“Internet-based fraud schemes are challenging for law enforcement as they typically involve an organized group of con artists scattered around the world,” William Mack, U.S. Secret Service resident agent in charge of the Tyler, Texas, Resident Office, said in a statement. “The Secret Service will continue to lead the fight against cyber-enabled fraud and hold accountable all those who seek to exploit U.S. citizens for their own illicit gain.”

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