My s5active is locked and they are demanding money to unlock what do I do to unlock my phone

[Android Central Question]

That’s all I know

 

[djrakowski]

Who are "they" that are "demanding money?" Where did you get the phone - was it purchased from a mobile carrier, or did you buy it used from a third party seller (individual, eBay, etc.)? Do you want to unlock it so you can use it on a mobile carrier that's different from the one that originally sold it, or are you having trouble getting past Factory Reset Protection?

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[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! If you see a screen that tells you that you have to pay money in order to unlock the phone, that's called ransomware, due to malware that you picked up (probably by installing an app from a shady site). For most ransomware, there's nothing you can do besides pay up or abandon the phone. What happens if you pull the battery, then boot into Safe Mode? https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-28456

 

[L_Wolf_78]

Given the increase in such attacks on Android period, is it not possible that while it may be "hijacked" to run a Side Install of some form of anti-virus/malware program?
Just a General question based on the origin of this post & maybe with some experience can help elaborate for all on my question.
Have so FAR (knock on wood) been able to avoid my Android getting anything like this but my PC...The reason I asked what I did is after spending some days' on the Dr Web site trying to earn myself a nice hefty discount, it just brings to mind that with all these ad blockers/cleaners/protection programs being released like mad now that SOMEBODY has to have tried to repair their mobile in this fashion by now...