Monopoly online game targeted by Trojan

Surfers are warned to be on their guard against spam emails inviting you to play the online version of the popular Monopoly board game.

Security firm Websense has intercepted tens of thousands of the emails which actually direct you to a fake website where your PC is prompted to download a Trojan.

"Thanks to a few dishonest cybercriminals, Monopoly's online gaming experience is at risk," said Carl Leonard, security research manager at Websense.

The scam is timed to coincide with the regional qualification rounds for the Monopoly World Championships which will take place in Las Vegas later this year.

Earlier this month, the Monopoly City Streets game was launched.

Monopoly City Streets is a live, worldwide version of Monopoly which anyone can play and uses Google Maps as the game board.