Interpol is warning that cybercriminals are targeting hospitals and other institutions on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

The international agency’s Cybercrime Threat Response team at its Cyber Fusion Centre has detected a significant increase in attempted ransomware attacks against key organizations and infrastructure engaged in the virus response. The ransomware attacks involve preventing hospitals and medical services from accessing vital files and systems until a ransom is paid.

“As hospitals and medical organizations around the world are working non-stop to preserve the well-being of individuals stricken with the coronavirus, they have become targets for ruthless cybercriminals who are looking to make a profit at the expense of sick patients,” Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock said in a news release.

“Locking hospitals out of their critical systems will not only delay the swift medical response required during these unprecedented times, it could directly lead to deaths,” Stock said. “Interpol continues to stand by its member countries and provide any assistance necessary to ensure our vital healthcare systems remain untouched and the criminals targeting them held accountable.”