Specific Scams

• Automatic Debit Scams - or, PDF
• Telephone Scams Are You A Target? - or, PDF
• Border-Line Scams Are the Real Thing - or, PDF
• International Lottery Scams - or, PDF
• Reloading Scams: Double Trouble for Consumers - or, PDF
• Easy Credit? Not So Fast. The Truth About Advance Fee Loan Scams - or, PDF

Consumer Protection Information

• Public Safety Fund-Raising Appeals: Make Your Donations Count - or, PDF
• Avoid a School Break Bust - or, PDF
• Catch the Bandit In Your Mailbox - or, PDF
• Helping Victims of the Terrorist Attacks: Your Guide to Giving Wisely - or, PDF
• Magazine Renewal Notices - or, second page) or in RAM format, or, PDF, and MP3
• Prize Offers: You Don't Have to Pay to Play - or, PDF
• A Rose Is A Rose Is A Ruse? Campaign
• Wish I Was There Campaign (Operation Trip Trap - Travel Scams)

Telephone & Telemarketing

• Telephone Scams Are You A Target? - or, PDF
• You Make the Call: The FTCÕs New Telemarketing Sales Rule - or, PDF
• It's Your Call: Shopping in the New Telecommunications Marketplace - or, PDF
• Ditch the Pitch: Hanging Up on Telephone Hucksters - or in PDF
• Fraud on the Line: Avoiding "Do Not Call" Scams - or, PDF
• Customized Cons Calling - or, PDF
• Hang Up On Cross-Border Phone Fraud - or, PDF
• Putting Cold Calls on Ice - or, PDF
• Q&A: The FTC's Changes to the Telemarketing Sales Rule - or, PDF
• Straight Talk About Telemarketing - or, PDF
• Telemarketing Recovery Scams - or, PDF
• Telemarketing Travel Fraud or, PDF Travel Scams (audio); RAM, or MP3
• Toll-Free Telephone Number Scams - or, PDF
• $ Unauthorized Charge On Your Phone Bill?, related: cram alert Unauthorized Charges Crammed onto Your Telephone Bill?, or in PDF format

FTC Consumer Awareness Campaigns

• Project Mailbox III: Catch the Bandit in Your Mailbox Campaign - or, Private Mail Boxes (audio), also in RAM, or MP3
• A/PACT Aging Parents and Adult Children Together - or, PDF
• Charitable Donation$: Give or Take? - or, PDF
• Operation False Alarm Campaign
• Operation Missed Giving Campaign
• Advance-Fee Loan Scams Campaign

List of Defendants in Project $cholar$cam

1. Career Assistance Planning, Inc.

Does business as College Assistance Planning, College Assistance Program, and C.A.P.

LOCATION: 400 Colony Square, Suite 2030, Atlanta, Georgia.

Defendants: David Chaim Levy; Donna M. Levy (also known as Donna Holeger).

Complaint filed 8/96. Order granting summary judgment to Commission entered in September, 1997. Defendants ordered to pay $6 million in consumer redress and post a $6 million bond before engaging in telemarketing.

Estimated 30,000 victims; $6 million injury

2. College Assistance Services, Inc.

LOCATION: 4567 N. Pine Island Road, Sunrise, Fl.

Defendants: Linda Love; Conni Canella; Randolph Cannella; John Giuffrida.

Complaint filed 8/96. Settlement entered December, 1997. Defendants agreed to a ban on offering scholarship services and agreed to post $200,000 bond before engaging in telemarketing. Consumer redress provided to consumers using bond posted by defendants with the State of Florida.

Estimated 6,000 victims; $1 million injury in six months

3. Deco Consulting Services, Inc.

LOCATION: Lauderhill, Florida

Defendants: Jesse Nieves; Dania Denis.

Complaint filed 10/96. Settlement entered December, 1997. Defendant agreed to ban on offering scholarship services and telemarketing. Judgment entered in the amount of $100,000.

Estimated 50,000 victims; $8 million injury in 3 years

4. National Grant Foundation, Inc.

LOCATION: Sunrise, Florida

Defendants: Wallace Millman; Anthony Consalvo; Dennis J. Colonna; Harriet Kaye; Beverly Jansen; Carol Clough.

Complaint filed 11/97. Settlement entered March, 1998 as to three telemarketers banning them from offering scholarship services and prohibiting them from making misrepresentations while telemarketing. Settlement entered March. 1998 as to management defendant, banning him from offering scholarship services and telemarketing. Case pending against two remaining management defendants.

Estimated 4,000 victims; $600,000 injury in less than a year

5. National Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

LOCATION: Delray Beach, Florida

Defendants: Eleanor Morse; Calvin Morse; Dorothy Beam; Sandra K. Brown; James P. McKenna; Timothy Quinn.

Complaint filed 11/97. Settlement entered September 1998 banning compny and officers from providing scholarship services and business information services. Defendants ordered to pay $50,000 and to post $100,000 performance bond before telemarketing credit services.

Estimated 15,000 victims; $2.8 million injury

6. Christopher ebere nwaigwe and udoka maduka

Nwaigwe also known as Christopher Maige, Michael Morge, and Michael Norge.

Maduka also known as Michael Mann

Defendants use names Higher Education Scholarship Program; National Health Scholarship Program, Division of Nursing; National Scholarship Program; National Management Scholarship Program; and National Science Program, Division of Biological Sciences.

LOCATIONS: 724 Dulaney Valley Road, Boxes 131 and 199, Towson, Maryland; 2931 O’Donnell Street, Box 313, Baltimore, MD; 8604 Second Avenue, Silver Spring, MD; 1220 L Street NW, Box 298, Washington, D.C.; 2117 L Street NW, Boxes 250 & 280, Washington, D.C.; 4431 Lehigh Road, Box 276, College Park, Maryland.

Complaint filed 8/96; Amended Complaint filed 9/96. Settlement entered April, 1997. Defendant Nwaigwe agreed to $10,000 judgment and to post a $300,000 bond before offering scholarship services. Defendant Maduka agreed to $9,000 judgment and to post a $50,000 bond before offering scholarship services. Defendant Nwaigwe convicted in March1999 on mail fraud charges by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.

Estimated 50,000 victims; $500,000 injury

7. Student Assistance Services, Inc., formerly known as Student Financial Services, Inc.

LOCATION: 1868 N. University Drive, Suite 202 Ft. Lauderdale , FL; 2801 N. University Dr., Suite 200, Plantation, FL

Defendants: Fred Markowitz; Donald McGovern.

Complaint filed 8/96. Settlement entered June, 1997. Defendants paid $300,000 for consumer redress; agreed to ban on scholarship services and to post $75,000 bond before telemarketing.

Estimated 19,000 victims; $3.4 million injury

8. Student Aid Incorporated

LOCATION: 1040 First Avenue, Suite 352, New York City; 99-44 62d Avenue, #2G, Rego Park, NY

Defendants: Adel Kovaleva; Adel Tager; Raimma Tagiev.

Complaint filed 8/96. Settlement entered August, 1997. Defendants paid $7,500 in consumer redress and agreed to injunctions regarding offering of scholarship services.

Estimated 1500 victims; $125,000 injury

ESTIMATED TOTAL: 175,000 VICTIMS; $22 MILLION IN INJURY

Here is what the Federal Trade Commission has stated:

Spam Scams

Filter Tips: 10 Scams to Screen from Your Email

1. The “Nigerian” Email Scam
2. Phishing
3. Work-at-Home Scams
4. Weight Loss Claims
5. Foreign Lotteries
6. Cure-All Products
7. Check Overpayment Scams
8. Pay-in-Advance Credit Offers
9. Debt Relief
10. Investment Schemes

While some consumers find unsolicited commercial email — also known as “spam” — informative, others find it annoying and time consuming. Still others find it expensive: They're among the people who have lost money to spam that contained bogus offers and fraudulent promotions.

Many Internet Service Providers and manufacturers offer filtering software to limit the spam in their users' email inboxes. In addition, some old-fashioned ‘filter tips' can help you save time and money by avoiding frauds pitched in email. OnGuard Online wants computer users to screen spam for scams, send unwanted spam on to the appropriate enforcement authorities, and then hit delete. Here's how to spot 10 common spam scams:

1. The “Nigerian” Email Scam

The Bait: Con artists claim to be officials, businesspeople, or the surviving spouses of former government honchos in Nigeria or another country whose money is somehow tied up for a limited time. They offer to transfer lots of money into your bank account if you will pay a fee or “taxes” to help them access their money. If you respond to the initial offer, you may receive documents that look “official.” Then they ask you to send money to cover transaction and transfer costs and attorney's fees, as well as blank letterhead, your bank account numbers, or other information. They may even encourage you to travel to Nigeria or a border country to complete the transaction. Some fraudsters have even produced trunks of dyed or stamped money to verify their claims.

The Catch: The emails are from crooks trying to steal your money or perpetrate identity theft. Inevitably, emergencies come up, requiring more of your money and delaying the “transfer” of funds to your account; in the end, there aren't any profits for you, and the scam artist vanishes with your money. According to State Department reports, people who have responded to “pay in advance ” solicitations have been beaten, subjected to threats and extortion, and in some cases, murdered.

Your Safety Net: If you receive an email from someone claiming to need your help getting money out of a foreign country, don't respond.

Forward “Nigerian” scams — including all the email addressing information — to spam@uce.gov. If you've lost money to one of these schemes, call your local Secret Service field office. Local field offices are listed in the Blue Pages of your telephone directory.

2. Phishing

The Bait: Email or pop-up messages that claim to be from a business or organization you may deal with — say, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message may ask you to “update,” “validate,” or “confirm” your account information or face dire consequences.

The Catch: Phishing is a scam where Internet fraudsters send spam or pop-up messages to reel in personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims. The messages direct you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization's site. But it's a bogus site that exists simply to trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal it, fake your identity, and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.

Your Safety Net: Make it a policy never to respond to email or pop-up messages that ask for your personal or financial information, or click on links in the message. Don't cut and paste a link from the message into your Web browser, either: Phishers can make links look like they go one place, but then actually take you to a look-alike site. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization using a phone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet browser session and type in the company's correct Web address yourself. Using anti-virus software and a firewall, and keeping them up to date, can help.

Forward phishing emails to spam@uce.gov and to the organization that is being spoofed.

3. Work-at-Home Scams

The Bait: Advertisements that promise steady income for minimal labor — in medical claims processing, envelope-stuffing, craft assembly work, or other jobs. The ads use similar come-ons: Fast cash. Minimal work. No risk. And the advantage of working from home when it's convenient for you.

The Catch: The ads don't say you may have to work many hours without pay, or pay hidden costs to place newspaper ads, make photocopies, or buy supplies, software, or equipment to do the job. Once you put in your own time and money, you're likely to find promoters who refuse to pay you, claiming that your work isn't up to their “quality standards.”

Your Safety Net: The FTC has yet to find anyone who has gotten rich stuffing envelopes or assembling magnets at home. Legitimate work-at-home business promoters should tell you — in writing — exactly what's involved in the program they're selling. Before you commit any money, find out what tasks you will have to perform, whether you will be paid a salary or work on commission, who will pay you, when you will get your first paycheck, the total cost of the program — including supplies, equipment and membership fees — and what you will get for your money. Can you verify information from current workers? Be aware of “shills,” people who are paid to lie and give you every reason to pay for work. Get professional advice from a lawyer, an accountant, a financial advisor, or another expert if you need it, and check out the company with your local consumer protection agency, state Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau, not only where the company is located, but also where you live.

Forward work-at-home scams to spam@uce.gov.

4. Weight Loss Claims

The Bait: Emails promising a revolutionary pill, patch, cream, or other product that will result in weight loss without diet or exercise. Some products claim to block the absorption of fat, carbs, or calories; others guarantee permanent weight loss; still others suggest you'll lose lots of weight at lightening speed.

The Catch: These are gimmicks, playing on your sense of hopefulness. There's nothing available through email you can wear or apply to your skin that can cause permanent — or even significant weight loss.

Your Safety Net: Experts agree that the best way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories and increase your physical activity so you burn more energy. A reasonable goal is to lose about a pound a week. For most people, that means cutting about 500 calories a day from your diet, eating a variety of nutritious foods, and exercising regularly. Permanent weight loss happens with permanent lifestyle changes. Talk to your health care provider about a nutrition and exercise program suited to your lifestyle and metabolism.

Forward weight loss emails to spam@uce.gov.

5. Foreign Lotteries

The Bait: Emails boasting enticing odds in foreign lotteries. You may even get a message claiming you've already won! You just have to pay to get your prize or collect your winnings.

The Catch: Most promotions for foreign lotteries are phony. Participating in a foreign lottery violates U.S. law. The scammers will keep any money you send for “taxes” or fees. In addition, lottery hustlers use victims' bank account numbers to make unauthorized withdrawals or their credit card numbers to run up additional charges.

Your Safety Net: Skip these offers. Don't send money now on the promise of a pay-off later.

Forward solicitations for foreign lottery promotions to spam@uce.gov.

6. Cure-All Products

The Bait: Emails claiming that a product is a “miracle cure,” a “scientific breakthrough,” an “ancient remedy” — or a quick and effective cure for a wide variety of ailments or diseases. They generally announce limited availability, and require payment in advance, and offer a no-risk “money-back guarantee.” Case histories or testimonials by consumers or doctors claiming amazing results are not uncommon.

The Catch: There is no product or dietary supplement available via email that can make good on its claims to shrink tumors, cure insomnia, cure impotency, treat Alzheimer's disease, and prevent severe memory loss. These kinds of claims deal with the treatment of diseases; companies that want to make claims like these must follow the FDA's pre-market testing and review process required for new drugs.

Your Safety Net: When evaluating health-related claims, be skeptical. Consult a health care professional before buying any “cure-all” that claims to treat a wide range of ailments or offers quick cures and easy solutions to serious illnesses. Generally speaking, cure all is cure none.

Forward spam with miracle health claims to spam@uce.gov.

7. Check Overpayment Scams

The Bait: A response to your ad or online auction posting, offering to pay with a cashier's, personal, or corporate check. At the last minute, the so-called buyer (or the buyer's “agent”) comes up with a reason for writing the check for more than the purchase price, and asks you to wire back the difference after you deposit the check.

The Catch: If you deposit the check, you lose. Typically, the checks are counterfeit, but they're good enough to fool unsuspecting bank tellers; when they bounce, you are liable for the entire amount.

Your Safety Net: Don't accept a check for more than your selling price, no matter how tempting the plea or convincing the story. Ask the buyer to write the check for the purchase price. If the buyer sends the incorrect amount, return the check. Don't send the merchandise. As a seller who accepts payment by check, you may ask for a check drawn on a local bank, or a bank with a local branch. That way, you can visit personally to make sure the check is valid. If that's not possible, call the bank the check was drawn on using the phone number from directory assistance or an Internet site that you know and trust, not from the person who gave you the check. Ask if the check is valid.

Forward check overpayment scams to spam@uce.gov and your state Attorney General. You can find contact information for your state Attorney General at www.naag.org.

8. Pay-in-Advance Credit Offers

The Bait: News that you've been “pre-qualified” to get a low-interest loan or credit card, or repair your bad credit even though banks have turned you down. But to take advantage of the offer, you have to ante up a processing fee of several hundred dollars.

The Catch: A legitimate pre-qualified offer means you've been selected to apply. You still have to complete an application and you can still be turned down. If you paid a fee in advance for the promise of a loan or credit card, you've been hustled. There may be a list of lenders, but there's no loan, and the person you've paid has taken your money and run.

Your Safety Net: Don't pay for a promise. Legitimate lenders never “guarantee” a card or loan before you apply. They may require that you pay application, appraisal, or credit report fees, but these fees seldom are required before the lender is identified and the application is completed. In addition, the fees generally are paid to the lender, not to the broker or person who arranged the “guaranteed” loan.

Forward unsolicited email containing credit offers to spam@uce.gov.

9. Debt Relief

The Bait: Emails touting a way you can consolidate your bills into one monthly payment without borrowing; stop credit harassment, foreclosures, repossessions, tax levies and garnishments; or wipe out your debts.

The Catch: These offers often involve bankruptcy proceedings, but rarely say so. While bankruptcy is one way to deal with serious financial problems, it's generally considered the option of last resort. The reason: it has a long-term negative impact on your creditworthiness. A bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years, and can hinder your ability to get credit, a job, insurance, or even a place to live. To top it off, you will likely be responsible for attorneys' fees for bankruptcy proceedings.

Your Safety Net: Read between the lines when looking at these emails. Before resorting to bankruptcy, talk with your creditors about arranging a modified payment plan, contact a credit counseling service to help you develop a debt repayment plan, or carefully consider a second mortgage or home equity line of credit. One caution: While a home loan may allow you to consolidate your debt, it also requires your home as collateral. If you can't make the payments, you could lose your home.

Forward debt relief offers to spam@uce.gov.

10. Investment Schemes

The Bait: Emails touting “investments” that promise high rates of return with little or no risk. One version seeks investors to help form an offshore bank. Others are vague about the nature of the investment, and stress the rates of return. Promoters hype their high-level financial connections; the fact that they're privy to inside information; that they'll guarantee the investment; or that they'll buy it back. To close the deal, they often serve up phony statistics, misrepresent the significance of a current event, or stress the unique quality of their offering.

The Catch: Many unsolicited schemes are a good investment for the promoters, but not for participants. Promoters of fraudulent investments operate a particular scam for a short time, close down before they can be detected, and quickly spend the money they take in. Often, they reopen under another name, selling another investment scam.

Your Safety Net: Take your time in evaluating the legitimacy of an offer: The higher the promised return, the higher the risk. Don't let a promoter pressure you into committing to an investment before you are certain it's legitimate. Hire your own attorney or an accountant to take a look at any investment offer, too.

Forward spam with investment-related schemes to spam@uce.gov.

Fighting Back

Con artists are clever and cunning, constantly hatching new variations on age-old scams. Still, skeptical consumers can spot questionable or unsavory promotions in email offers. Should you receive an email that you think may be fraudulent, forward it to the FTC at spam@uce.gov, hit delete, and smile. You'll be doing your part to help put a scam artist out of work.

Spam: Where to Complain About Frauds & Scams on the Internet

• Chain letters - United States Postal Inspection Service Office Locator
• Consumer Fraud - US Federal Government
• Federal Trade Commission Fraud and Spam Complaint Form
• File a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) - FBI
• Forward Unsolicited Commercial E-mail (spam) to the Federal Trade Commission
• FlimFlam.com
• FTC Consumer Protection Complaint Form
• FTC Identity Theft Complaint Form
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
• Internet Fraud Watch E-Mail (NFIC)
• Investment Fraud & Stock Offers - Securities and Exchange Commission
• MLM stuff - Phone Card Distributorships, Etc. - Federal Trade Commission
• National Consumer Complaint Center (The)
• National Fraud Information Center - Online Incident Report Form
• Spam Cop
• Piracy of Software
  • Business Software Alliance - Anti-Piracy Information (No Piracy) - Complaint Form
  • Pirated Software Online Report Form - Software Publishers Association
  • Solicitations & Offers of Pirated Software - Software Publishers Association
• Scam Spam Reporting Page - Report Fraud to the Junkmail.org
• Spam
  • Send SPAM Complaints to The Federal Trade Commission
  • Support Anti-Spam Legislation by writing to U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli
  • Support Anti-Spam Legislation by writing to U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski
• To report MMF senders as possible tax cheats - Internal Revenue Service
• Webguardian - For complaints about any internet commercial transaction

  Complaints

• Better Business Bureau - How to File a Complaint Online
• webBbox - Bad, Better & Best Businesses Bulletin Board
• Complainusa.com - Share your complaints with the world

  All About Frauds and Scams on the Internet

• Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) - Federal Bureaus of Investigation & National White Collar Crime Center
• Affinity Fraud: Beware of Swindlers Who Claim Loyalty to Your Group
• Better Business Bureau Central Web Server for U.S. and Canada
• Chain Letters - United States Postal Inspection Service
• Competition Act - Pyramid Selling and Multi-Level Marketing Schemes (Canada)
• Consumer Fraud Alert Network - Professional Con Man / Scam Artist Alert
• CyberCop - Keeping Cyberspace safe for consumers
• CyberTipline for complaints about the sexual exploitation of children
• Exploited Child Unit
• Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI's National Computer Crime Squad (NCCS)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI Field Offices - FBI FAQ - Fraud & Obscenity
• FTC Names Its Dirty Dozen:12 Scams Most Likely to Arrive Via Bulk Email
• Fifteen Ways to Spot internet Scams
• Internet ScamBusters - Publication On Internet Fraud
• Home Business Scam Alert Network
• Internet Advocacy Center - California Alliance For Consumer Protection
• Internet Fraud Watch - National Fraud Info. Center - National Consumer League
• "Make Money Fast"--Start a multi-level marketing scam
• MLM Alerts: On the Net
• Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) - An intrinsically flawed system of marketing
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• National Consumers League
• Pyramid Schemes, Chain Letters and Ponzi Schemes
• SCAMS: On the Net
• Spam: How to Stop it - Actions you can take to reduce your spam intake
• Sweepstakes, Lottery, & Chain Letter Fraud - United States Postal Inspection Service
• Top Ten Subjects of Reports to Internet Fraud Watch 1997
• Traps and Scams - Financial Traps & Scams
• Webguardian Internet Watchdog Website - Internet Commerce Problems
• What's Wrong with Multi-Level Marketing?
• Where to Complain About Frauds & Scams on the Internet

  The Nigerian Fraud Watch - Everything About the Nigerian Bank Scams and More!

  Meet the Nigerian E-Mail Grifters

  How to Identify and Protect Yourself From Pyramid Schemes

  Phone bill ‘cramming’ spikes again

  Counterfeit Cashier's Check Scam Online

  Internet Scams Top Consumer Fraud

  FTC Targets International License Scam

  Con Artists Target Unemployed

  Virus hoaxes claim fresh victims

  Fake escrow site scam widens

  Nigerian Net Scam, Version 3.0

  Scam finds new life online

  What’s real, what’s a scam? eBay users wondering

  PayPal Users Targeted by E-Mail Scam--Again

  Nigerian E-Mail Scammers Reported On Run

  How a Bank Got E-Mail Scammed

  Internet Fraud: How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams

  FTC Names Its Dirty Dozen: 12 Scams Most Likely to Arrive Via Bulk Email

  Top 10 Dot Cons

  809 Scam: E-mail Regenerating an Old Scam

  FTC Releases Top 10 Consumer Complaint Categories in 2002

  NEW AREA CODE 809 PHONE SCAM

  Update on the "809 Area Code Scam" and What to Do if Your e-Zine Gets Changed and Then Spammed

  Scams And Shams Found In Your Email

  419 in Space!

  419 Blondie

  419 Doonsberry

  Fight Identity Theft

  allAfrica

  Phishing & 419 Scams

  HoaxBusters

  Re-QUEST.net

CAN-SPAM

CAN-SPAM is now active in the US. It fails to address the main issues with spam, that spam is sent unsolicited, and in bulk.

CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 - www.spamlaws.com/federal/108s877.html
You CAN SPAM - www.mcgath.com/youcanspam.html
Spamhaus Position on CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 - www.spamhaus.org/position/CAN-SPAM_Act_2003.html
CAN-SPAM Law: More Harm Than Good? - zdnet.com.com/html/z/tu/sr/canspam.html
FTC CAN-SPAM report - www.ftc.gov/reports/canspam05/051220canspamrpt.pdf

Old US Spam Bills

Junk E-mail Legislation (108th Congress) - www.cdt.org/legislation/108th/junkemail/
Junk Email 106th Congress - www.cdt.org/legislation/106th/junkmail/
Junk E-mail 107th Congress - www.cdt.org/legislation/107th/junkemail/
Spam and the Law - www.jamesshuggins.com/h/tek1/spam_and_law.htm
United States: Federal Laws - www.spamlaws.com/federal/
This is not Spam! - www.bastisoft.de/misc/s.1618.html - German

US States' Spam Laws

Many of the state laws passed in the US have been preempted by the CAN-SPAM act of 2003.

United States: State Laws - www.spamlaws.com/state/
State Laws Relating to Unsolicited Commercial or Bulk E-mail - www.ncsl.org/programs/lis/legislation/spamlaws02.htm
Don't Spam Texas! - dontspamtexas.com/
Kansas No Spam - kansasnospam.com/spamlaws.asp
Spam Free Washington State - www.mcnichol.com/spam.htm
Michigan's Anti-spam Law - www.michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7-164--81866--,00.html
Florida's Spam Law - myfloridalegal.com/spam
California Spam Mail - ag.ca.gov/consumers/general/spam_phishing.php

How to Sue Spammers in the US

I want you to sue spammers - www.angryox.com/vaspam/
First Steps by Bruce Miller - www.aboutspam.com/stepone.php
Zen and the Art of Small Claims - smallclaim.info/
Spam Offer by Wouter F. Pilger - www.geocities.com/pilger.geo/spamoff.htm - same thing in Esperanto
Spam and the Law - danbalsam.com/danhatesspam/law.html
Searching For John Doe: Finding Spammers and Phishers - www.ceas.cc/papers-2005/174.pdf
The Anti-SLAPP Resource Center - www.thefirstamendment.org/antislappresourcecenter.html

US Anti-Spam Lawyers

Attorneys Practicing Computer Law – Spam - www.computercounsel.com/#spam
Timothy J. Walton spam litigation - www.timothywalton.com/suespammers.html - see: www.netatty.com/spam.html
Mark Woodsmall - www.woodsmallpetrovich.com/
Nejadpour & Associates - www.myspamsuit.com/
Searching For John Doe: Finding Spammers and Phishers - www.ceas.cc/papers-2005/174.pdf
The Anti-SLAPP Resource Center - www.thefirstamendment.org/antislappresourcecenter.html

Canada Anti-Spam Laws

Stopping Spam – Creating a Stronger, Safer Internet - e-com.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/ecic-ceac.nsf/en/h_gv00317e.html
Canadian Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act - www.privcom.gc.ca/legislation/index_e.asp
A Consultation on the Draft Privacy of Personal Information Act, 2002 - www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/56Y2UJ.htm
E-mail marketing: Consumer choices and business opportunities - strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/ecic-ceac.nsf/en/gv00189e.html

Australia Anti-Spam Laws

ACMA Antispam - www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD//pc=PC_2008
Spam Act 2003 (Cth) - www.dcita.gov.au/ie/spam_home

New Zealand Anti-Spam Laws

Letter to the Minister of Communications - www.privacy.org.nz/library/letter-to-the-minister-of-communications
Legislating against spam; discussion document - www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentTOC____665.aspx
Parliament starts to get the message about spam - www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&ObjectID=10360226

European Anti-Spam Laws

• EU Regulations
• United Kingdom Spam Laws
• France Spam Laws
• Germany Spam Laws
• Netherlands Spam Laws
• Belgium Spam Laws
• Poland Spam Laws
• Denmark Spam Laws
• Finland Spam Laws
• Austria Spam Laws
• Italy Spam Laws
• Portugal Spam Laws
• Spain Spam Laws
• Sweden Spam Laws
• Greece Spam Laws
• Hungary Spam Laws
• Ireland Spam Laws
• Luxemburg Spam Laws
• Slovenia Spam Laws
• Romania Spam Laws
• Malta Spam Laws

EU Regulations and their Anti-Spam Consequences

Final Amendments to "E.Privacy" Directive - www.euro.cauce.org/en/amendments1a.html
European Countries' Spam Laws Index - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/
Spam Laws: European Union/EEA - www.spamlaws.com/eu.html
EU Spotlight on Spam - ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/ecomm/todays_framework/privacy_protection/spam/index_en.htm

UK Spam Laws

• Legislation
• Interpretations

UK Spam Legislation

Office of the Information Commissioner - www.ico.gov.uk/
Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 - www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20032426.htm
Tougher penalties for misuse of personal data - www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=262486&NewsAreaID=2

UK Anti-Spam Interpretations

UK UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_uk.html
Information Commissioner's Position before the 2003 Regulations - www.biocenter.helsinki.fi/~atossava/spam/IC/
Commentary on Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications - www.kevinboone.com/tel_data_pro_dir.html
APIG report on spam law - www.apig.org.uk/archive/activities-2003/spam-public-enquiry.html
UK spam law - www.scotchspam.org.uk/law.html

France Spam Laws

Halte au Spam - www.cnil.fr/?id=1278
FR UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_fr.html

Germany Spam Laws

Kampf gegen lästige E-Mail-Werbung - www.internetrecht-rostock.de/SAktuell/Spamming.htm
DE UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_de.html

Netherlands Spam Laws

parlando.sdu.nl/cgi/showdoc/session=anonymous@3A4770437831/action=doc/pos=7/query=3/KST71269.pdf
NL UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_nl.html

Belgium Spam Laws

Boîte à spam - www.privacycommission.be/actualites/boite_a_spam.htm
BE UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_be.html

Poland Spam Laws

Prawo, opracowania prawne i raporty - nospam-pl.net/links.php#prawo
Law Concerning the Provision of Electronic Services - isip.sejm.gov.pl/PRAWO.nsf/Main/WDU20021441204?OpenDocument
PL UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_pl.html

Denmark Spam Laws

DK UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_dk.html

Finland Spam Laws

Spämmäys ja lainsäädäntö - kaip.iki.fi/spam/SpamLaki.html
FI UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_fi.html

Austria Spam Laws

Austrian Data Protection Commission [Datenschutzkommission] - www.dsk.gv.at/
AT UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_at.html
http://www.rtr.at/%20web.nsf/deutsch/%20Telekommunikation_Telekommunikationsrecht

Italy Spam Laws

IT UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_it.html

Portugal Spam Laws

PT UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_pt.html

Spain Spam Laws

ES UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_es.html

Sweden Spam Laws

SE UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_se.html

Greece Spam Laws

GR UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_gr.html

Hungary Spam Laws

HU UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_hu.html

Ireland Spam Laws

IE UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_ie.html

Luxemburg Spam Laws

LU UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_lu.html

Slovenia Spam Laws

SI UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_si.html

Romania Spam Laws

Romanesc Legislatie - rbl.uniques.ro/legislatie.php

Malta Spam Laws

Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology - www.miti.gov.mt/

Korea Spam Laws

Korea Spam Response Center - www.spamcop.or.kr/spamcop.html
Nospam, Korean Fair Trade Commission - www.nospam.go.kr/

Norway Spam Laws

NO UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_no.html

Israel Spam Laws

IL UCE Page by EuroCAUCE - www.euro.cauce.org/en/countries/c_il.html

Argentina Spam Laws

Argentine Personal Data Protection Act - www.privacyinternational.org/countries/argentina/argentine-dpa.html

Russia Spam Laws

Legal aspects of spam in Russia - www.russianlaw.net/english/ae06.htm

Ukraine Spam Laws

Ukrainian Government Outlaws Spam - www.crime-research.org/news/08.19.2005/1441/

Japan Spam Laws

Law on Regulation of Transmission of Specified Electronic Mail
( the Anti-Spam Law) (Specified Electronic Mail Law)

Spam Mail Consultation Center - www.dekyo.or.jp/soudan/top.htm
Economic Affairs Ministry Laws on Spam - www.soumu.go.jp/joho_tsusin/top/m_mail.html

Malaysia Spam Laws

Malaysia – Regulatory Approach to Spam - www.mcmc.gov.my/what_we_do/ins/regulatory.asp

Hong Kong Spam Laws

Hong Kong Government Anti-Spam - www.antispam.gov.hk/english/main.htm
Bills Committee on Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill - www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/bc/bc04/papers/bc04_ppr.htm
Spam bill bites into business - www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=29161&sid=10315709&con_type=1
Hong Kong to crack down on spam - www.theregister.co.uk/2005/06/14/hong_kong_spam/
Hong Kong proposes anti-spam bill - www.virusbtn.com/news/spam_news/2006/02_01.xml

China

Ministry of Information Industry Spam Law - www.mii.gov.cn/art/2006/03/02/art_524_7341.html - Chinese
China's anti spam law (machine translation) - www.spamresource.com/2007/01/chinas-anti-spam-law.html

Singapore Spam Laws

Proposed Legislative Framework for the Control of E-mail Spam - www.ida.gov.sg/Policies%20and%20Regulation/20060926163839.aspx
IDA & AGC Seek Second Round Views on Proposed Spam Control Bill for Singapore - www.ida.gov.sg/News%20and%20Events/20050705172846.aspx?getPagetype=20

Peru Spam Laws

Marco Legal - www.antispam.org.pe/legal.htm

Spam Law Articles

Emerging Media and Regulation of Unsolicited Commercial Solicitations - www.law.berkeley.edu/journals/btlj/articles/vol11/Carroll/html/reader.html
Spam Laws: Articles - www.spamlaws.com/articles/
Spam: A Reality Check for Legislators - www.cei.org/pdf/3482.pdf
Regulating Unsolicited Commercial Messages - www.mcmc.gov.my/mcmc/Admin/FactsAndFigures/Paper/spam%20_PC_.pdf
European Union vs. Spam: A Legal Response - www.ceas.cc/papers-2004/145.pdf
The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003: A Six-Month Progress Report - www.kltprc.net/policynotes/pn0015_spam.pdf
Report on non-OECD Countries' Spam Legislation - www.oecd.org/dataoecd/26/47/31861202.pdf
The California Anti-spam Law - www.ivanhoffman.com/antispam.html
Getting the top spammers - ideas.4brad.com/archives/000210.html
Comparative Analysis of Spam Laws - www.itu.int/osg/spu/cybersecurity/docs/Background_Paper_Comparative_Analysis_of_Spam_Laws.pdf
Controlling unsolicited bulk e-mail - fringe.davesource.com/Fringe/Computers/Netiquette/Spam.SunWorld.html
Case Study in Enforcing AntiSpam Legislation - www.spammatters.com/ACACaseStudy.pdf
Combating spam through legislation: a comparative analysis of us and european approaches - www.ceas.cc/papers-2005/146.pdf
Eric Goldman's law blog on spam - blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/spam/

Spam Law Petitions

Vote against Spam! - www.politik-digital.de/spam/

Anti-Spam Legal Discussion

Discussing the legal ramifications of fighting spam - lists.megacity.org/mailman/listinfo/spamfight-legal
UK Data Protection discussion - www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/data-protection.html

Archives of Anti-Spam Cases

Spamming and Spoofing Litigation - www.netlitigation.com/netlitigation/spam.htm
AOL's Other Junk E-mail Archive - legal.web.aol.com/decisions/dljunk/otherarchive.html
SpamLaws selected cases - www.spamlaws.com/cases/index.shtml

Big ISP Anti-Spam Litigation

Industry Anti-Spam Alliance Action - docs.yahoo.com/docs/pr/release1145.html
First Major Industry Lawsuits Under New Federal Anti-Spam Law - www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/mar04/03-10canspampr.mspx
FindLaw spam documents - news.findlaw.com/legalnews/documents/archive_s.html#spam
Summer Spam Suits Show Some Success - www.spamhaus.org/news.lasso?article=165
“Spam King” sued by MySpace - arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070122-8671.html
Major Anti-Spam Lawsuit to Be Filed in Virginia - www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/25/AR2007042503098_pf.html

AOL Spam Litigation

AOL Spam Decisions and Litigation - legal.web.aol.com/decisions/dljunk/
AOL Junk E-mail Archive - legal.web.aol.com/decisions/dljunk/aolarchive.html
AOL v “Sunshine State Spammers” - news.com.com/AOL+puts+heat+on+alleged+Sunshine+State+spammers/2100-1024_3-5160967.html
How AOL Seized a Spammer's Gold - daol.aol.com/articles/sweepstakes
AOL Wins $5M Judgment Against Spammer Chris “Rizler” Smith - www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2006-01-26-aol-spam-case_x.htm?csp=34
AOL v Christoper Smith - www.hypertouch.com/legal/othersuits/AOL/AOL-v-Christopher-Smith/

Microsoft Spam Litigation

Microsoft v Global Media - files.findlaw.com/news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/cyberlaw/msglbmed61603cmp.pdf
Microsoft v Newport Internet Marketing & Robert Soloway - www.mortgagespam.com/soloway/
Pfizer and Microsoft Target Sellers of Illegal Viagra and International Spam Rings - www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/feb05/02-10mspfizerpr.mspx
Microsoft sues Israel's #1 spam suspect - www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2005/02/sa_israelspam.html
Microsoft v Hertz - www.hypertouch.com/legal/othersuits/microsoft/ms-v-Hertz/
Microsoft sues British spammer for Hotmail breach - www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/13/ms_sues_british_spammer/

Microsoft and New York AG vs OptInRealBig Action

Scott Richter, and his company OptInRealBig, self-styled as “one of the most legitimate Internet marketing institutions in the United States”, were accused by New York's Attorney General Eliot Spitzer of sending junk emails to consumers, while hiding behind fake identities, forged email addresses and a worldwide network of more than 500 compromised computers.

Microsoft and Former “Spam King” Scott Richter Announce Settlement - www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/aug05/08-09MSRichterSettlementPR.mspx
Press Conference Webcast, Office of the AG of NY - www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=19374
Spitzer and Microsoft Fight Senders of Billions of Junk Emails - www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2003/dec/dec18b_03.html
Mirror of the “Reply from the Accused” - home.comcast.net/~mcwebber/richter.html

Yahoo! Spam Litigation

Yahoo! Spam Litigation - antispam.yahoo.com/spamandthelaw

Earthlink Spam Litigation

Earthlink Identifies and Sues Multi-state Spam Ring - www.earthlink.net/about/press/pr_alspam_sue/
Timeshare spammer Peter Moshou jailed - www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/18/timeshare_spammer_jailed/
EarthLink wins $11m spam judgement - www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2164212/earthlink-victorious-against-spammer

US Department of Justice

Takedown of major internation spam operation - www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2005/August/05_crm_431.htm
North Carolina Man Charged with Illegally Accessing American College of Physicians Database - www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/baileyCharge.htm
Chris Rizler Convicted of Federal Charges Stemming from Operation of Illegal Online Pharmacy - thespamdiaries.blogspot.com/2006/11/christopher-william-smith-convicted-in.html
Two Sentenced for Porn Spam Business - www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/October/07_crm_813.html
Alan Ralsky, Ten Others, Indicted in International Illegal Spamming and Stock Fraud Scheme - www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/January/08_crm_003.html

US State Anti-Spam Actions

CA Attorney General Wins State Lawsuit - ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=1152&year=2003&month=10
Judge Freezes Assets Of BeaverHome - www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2002/jul/jul03c_02.html
Disgruntled Phillies fan Charged - www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/carlsonArrest.htm
New York v Lipsitz – Internet Spam Scam Judgment - www.oag.state.ny.us/internet/litigation/lebedeff.html
Cyebye.com to End Deceptive Email Practices - www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2003/aug/aug26a_03.html
Buffalo Spammer Guilty of ID Theft and Forgery - www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2004/apr/apr1b_04.html
Florida-based spammer to pay $25k - www.nevadaconsumerprotectionlawyers.com/news.cfm/Article/6471/Florida-Based-Spammer-To-Pay-$25k.html
AG Files First Texas Lawsuit For Violations Of E-mail Spam Laws - www.oag.state.tx.us/oagNews/release.php?id=747
Washington State v Avtech, MDI - legal.hypertouch.com/Avtech-MDI-WashingtonState-case/
First Case Under Florida Anti-Spam Law - www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/F978639D46005F6585256FD90050AAC9
AG Reilly Files Lawsuit - www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2005/may/1143936.htm
American owns up to hijacking PCs - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4642566.stm
Shoddy Email Practices Cost US$1.1M - www.idm.net.au/story.asp?id=7036
Austin spammer faces over $10M in penalties - www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/060806dntexspam.6235f857.html
Nation's First Ever Felony SPAM Conviction Stands - www.oag.state.va.us/PRESS_RELEASES/NewsArchive/090506_SPAM_Act_Upheld.html
Adam Vitale pleads guilty to massive AOL spam scheme - www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/June07/vitalepleapr.pdf
Todd Moeller sentenced to over two years for massive AOL spam scheme - www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/November07/moellersentencingpr.pdf

US Securities Exchange Commission Spam Actions

Mark E. Rice (Primex Capital) - www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr17377.htm
Rodona Garst - www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/33-8113.htm
Rodona Garst (Premier Marketing) - www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/33-8161.htm
K. C. Smith - www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr18397.htm
2DoTrade et al. - www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr18381.htm
Jeffery Steven Stone and WebSky - www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2006/lr19805.htm

US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Spam Actions

Sweep Targets Deceptive Spam - www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/04/spam.shtm
Deceptive Spammers Settle FTC Charges - www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/10/spammers.shtm
Sweep Targets Deceptive Spam and Internet Scams - www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/11/netforce.shtm
FTC Charges South Carolina Resident - www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/12/richmond.shtm
Identity Thief Goes 'Phishing' - www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/07/phishing.shtm
FTC Settles with Marketers of Bogus International Driver's Licenses - www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/08/libertymall.shtm
Married But Lonely/Brian D. Westby/Martijn P. Bevelander - www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/09/fyi0357.shtm
Web-Based Scammers to Pay Redress for Deceptively Guaranteeing Consumers Credit Cards - www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/10/clickformail.shtm
Sweep Targets Internet Scams and Deceptive Spam - www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/11/dojsweep.shtm
Internet Mortgage Scam Halted - www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/12/30mm2.shtm
"Playstation 2 Spammers" Settle with FTC - www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/02/playstation2.shtm
FTC, Justice Department Halt Identity Theft Scam - www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/03/phishinghilljoint.shtm
FTC Announces First Can-Spam Act Cases - www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/04/040429canspam.shtm
FTC Settles with Deceptive Spammers - www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/05/westbysettlement.shtm
FTC Sues Florida Man for Illegal Spam - www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/07/creaghan.shtm
"Business Opportunity" Turns Out To Be Illegal Scam - www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/10/bryant.shtm
Court Stops Spammers Circulating Unwanted E-mails - www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/01/globalnetsolutions.shtm
Adult Web Site Settles FTC Charges - www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/02/sobonito.shtm
Spammer's Invitation to Date Lonely Housewives Halted by Court - ftc.gov/opa/2005/05/housewives.shtm
Florida Man Settles FTC Charges of Sending Illegal Spam - www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/06/creaghanharry.shtm
FTC Halts Operation's Bogus "Anti-Spyware" Claims - www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/06/trustsoft.shtm
FTC Cracks down on Illegal "X-rated" Spam - www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/07/alrsweep.shtm
Cross-border Law Enforcement Team Targets Spammers - www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/12/buttonpushers.shtm
FTC Slams Spammer in Pocketbook - www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/03/freeflixtix.shtm
FTC, California Attorney General Halt Illegal Spam Operation - www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/04/optin.shtm
Yesmail Settles With FTC for Sending Unwanted E-Mails - www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/11/yesmail.shtm

US Secret Service Spam Actions

Stock spammers stung by Secret Service - spamkings.oreilly.com/archives/2006/03/stock_spammers_stung_by_secret.html

Individual Anti-Spam Cases in the US

Ferguson v. Friendfinder - www.timothywalton.com/ferguson.html
AboutSpam Lawsuits - www.aboutspam.com/suits.php
Smallclaim.info Cases - smallclaim.info/cases.php
Peacefire anti-spam lawsuits - peacefire.org/anti-spam/
American Computer Group and Earthlink File Against Spammer - www.mailorder.com/news/acg_spamcomplaint.htm
Hypertouch settles action against Link It Software - legal.hypertouch.com/linkit.html
Hypertouch v Kennedy Western - legal.hypertouch.com/kennedy-western/
Hypertouch v BobVila - legal.hypertouch.com/bobvila/
Hypertouch v Discover Financial Services - legal.hypertouch.com/discover/
Hypertouch v Avtech - legal.hypertouch.com/avtech/
Trouble Brewing for Kraft and Gevalia over Coffee Spam - legal.hypertouch.com/
Advisory Concerning Register.com v Verio Litigation - www.icann.org/announcements/advisory-26dec00.htm
History of a dispute with a spammer - www.kclink.com/spam/
Michigan Man Uses Junk FAX Law to Sue Sears Over Spam - www.linxnet.com/misc/spam/mi_spamsuit.html
Erienet, Inc., et al v Velocity Net, Inc., et al - www.internetlibrary.com/cases/lib_case215.cfm
Washington State resident wins $250,000 spam e-mail case - ec-magic.com/NewsRelease.htm
Dan's Anti-Spam Cases - danbalsam.com/danhatesspam/superiorcourt.html
Dan's Anti-Spam Small Claims Cases - danbalsam.com/danhatesspam/smallclaims.html
Lawsuits Filed by Internet Business Initiatives, LLC v Alleged Spammers - kansasnospam.com/lawsuits.asp
Professional Resources System International, Inc - prsiinc.com/
GT Toner Supplies - www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&casemasterID=300103
Symantec Granted $3 Million Judgment v Maryland Internet Marketing - www.symantec.com/press/2003/n031222.html
Symantec Awarded More Than $10 Million v CD Micro - www.symantec.com/press/2003/n031006a.html
Symantec Granted $3.1 Million In Piracy Case - www.symantec.com/about/news/release/article.jsp?prid=20050420_01
Danish spammer fined £37k - www.theregister.co.uk/2004/01/21/danish_spammer_fined_163_37k/
Sound Ford of Renton, Washington pays up for sending spam - www.1world-design.com/soundfordspam.html
BW Telecom - www.icstis.org.uk/consumers/adjudications/default.asp?node=&id=4
Sue a Spammer - www.sueaspammer.com/
Braver v JDO Media, Inc., et al - www.pyramidspam.com/
Braver v Ameriquest - www.mortgagespam.com/ameriquest/
Ziegler v China Digital Media - news.com.com/When+a+lawyer+gets+hit+by+spammers,+expect+a+lawsuit/2100-1030_3-5723497.html
Clinton Internet provider wins $11B suit against spammer James McCalla - www.qctimes.com/articles/2006/01/04/news/local/doc43bb692ac9e86281138542.txt
MaryCLE v First Choice Internet - www.hypertouch.com/legal/othersuits/MaryCLE-v-FIRST-CHOICE-INTERNET.pdf
My Spam Lawsuit - www.myspamsuit.com/
Infinite Monkeys v OptInRealBig - www.monkeys.com/litigation/oirb-ca/release-20060914.html - see: 1 2
Oklahoma Anti-Spammer Loses Big in Court - www.circleid.com/posts/oklahoma_anti_spammer_loses/
Whew.com ongoing litigation - whew.com/Litigation/ongoing/
Who's been sued under CAN-SPAM? - www.spamresource.com/2006/10/whos-been-sued-under-can-spam.html
Spamhaus nemesis e360 Insight sued over junk mail - www.theregister.com/2007/03/23/e360insight_lawsuit/
Mumma's Biggest Loss Yet: Jury Awards Omega $2.5M - directmag.com/disciplines/email/jury_awards_omega/
Phillips v Netblue - thespamdiaries.blogspot.com/2007/02/musings-on-phillips-vs-netblue-case.html

Anti-Spam Cases Elsewhere

XS4ALL v spammer Abfab - www.xs4all.nl/uk/news/overview/abfab.html - Netherlands
Dansk spammer idømt bøde på 15.000 - www.computerworld.dk/art/18943 - Denmark
Lutte contre le spam - thomas.quinot.org/spam/ - France
Judge in Argentina Orders Halt to Spam in First Junk E-Mail Case - www.protecciondedatos.com.ar/bna.htm - Argentina
Spam Legal Action - spamlegalaction.pbwiki.com/ - UK
Virgin spammer settles out of court - www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2106152/virgin-spammer-settles-court - UK
Dutch regulator fines three companies for spamming - www.marketingimprovement.com/hotnews/freestanding/email-marketing-dutch-fines.html - Netherlands
Who-Remembers-Me.com and the ASA - www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/02/tell_a_friend_service_ruling/ - UK
ACMA v Clarity1 (Wayne Mansfield) - www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18303230-29277,00.html - Australia
ACMA v Clarity1 (Wayne Mansfield) - www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/federal_ct/2006/410.html - Australia
Zombie king suspect alleged to have sent 18 million spams per day - www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2006/05/krzombie.html - Korea
Chinese company fined for junk email - www.silicon.com/research/specialreports/china/0,3800011742,39161694,00.htm - China
Microsoft wins ruling to ban spam list sales - www.out-law.com/page-7580 - UK
President of company suspected of sending 5.4 billion spam e-mails arrested - www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2007/01/jpdating.html - Japan
Dutch spammer fined $97,000 for sending 9 billion unwanted e-mails - www.cbc.ca/cp/technology/070202/z020213A.html - Netherlands
Korean super-spammers arrested - www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2173771/korean-duo-accused-sending - Korea
South Korean "Spam Queen" Arrested - www.adotas.com/2007/01/south-korean-spam-queen-arrested/ - Korea
Scotch Spam! - www.scotchspam.org.uk/ - UK

Joe-Job Cases

UPS Sends Legal Message to Spammers - www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1056139961199
Amazon.com Legal Action - www.amazon.com/stopspoofing
Flowers.com spam judgement - www.tigerden.com/junkmail/cases/flowersjudgment.html

Cases Against Antispammers

SpamCon Legal Fund - spamcon.org/legalfund/ - exists to support antispammers defending legal cases

EMarketersAmerica v Spews.org, et al - www.linxnet.com/misc/spam/slapp.php
Optinrealbig.com v Ironport dba Spamcop - lawsuite.word-to-the-wise.com/
Pallorium v Jared: A Victory Against Spam - www.toplawfirm.com/recent.html#A%20Victory%20Against%20Spam
Brian Haberstroh aka Atriks Inc aka Distributed Mail Corporation v Jay Stuler - spamlawsuit.spamshield.org/ - see: 1
Sierra Corporate Design, Inc. v David Ritz and Ed Falk - www.chillingeffects.org/notice.cgi?sID=469
Richard Scoville (FreeSpeechStore) v AHBL - tqmcube.com/fss_fight_back.php
MK Supplements v Mark Ferguson - spamkings.oreilly.com/archives/2006/01/penispill_marketer_sues_antisp.html
e360 insight v Spamhaus - www.e360insight.com/news-item1.php - see: www.e360insight.com/news-item2.php, www.spamhaus.org/legal/, www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-10oct06.htm
SLAPP Suit - slappsuit.com/
SpamSuite.com - www.spamsuite.com/

SEC Takes Another Bite Out of E-Mail Spam With Three More Trading Suspensions

SEC's Anti-Spam Initiative Credited with Significant Reduction in Financial Spam

Washington, D.C., October 4, 2007 - The Securities and Exchange Commission this morning continued its assault on stock market e-mail spam by suspending trading in the securities of three companies that haven't provided adequate and accurate information about themselves to the investing public.

The trading suspensions are part of the Commission's Anti-Spam Initiative announced earlier this year that cuts the profit potential for stock-touting spam and is credited for a significant worldwide reduction of financial spam. A recent private-sector Internet security report stated that a 30 percent decrease in stock market spam "was triggered by actions taken by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which limited the profitability of this type of spam."

In addition, spam-related complaints to the SEC's Online Complaint Center have been cut in half.

"The SEC is moving aggressively against stock market spam that has been clogging our e-mail inboxes for too long," said SEC Chairman Christopher Cox. "Because of our aggressive enforcement efforts, there has been a reported 30 percent drop in financial spam, and that means fewer investors are getting ripped off."

Since the March 8, 2007 launch of its Anti-Spam Initiative to combat spam-driven stock market manipulations, the Commission has suspended trading in the securities of 39 companies and has brought several spam-related enforcement actions.

Mark K. Schonfeld, Director of the Commission's New York Regional Office, said, "Today's trading suspensions exemplify our firm commitment to protecting investors from stock fraud and spam e-mail. Investors are entitled to accurate and adequate information about public companies, and we will take strong action promptly when companies fail to fulfill this obligation."

Today's trading suspensions pertain to the securities of Alliance Transcription Services, Inc. (ATSS), Prime Petroleum Group, Inc. (PPGU), and T.W. Christian, Inc. (TWCI). The companies are recent successors to Strategy X, Inc., Pinnacle Development, Inc. and Xraymedia, Inc., respectively. Each of the companies changed its name on Aug. 14, 2007, is currently quoted under a new ticker symbol, and purports to have a new business. The companies, all of which trade on the Pink Sheets, are susceptible to spam stock promotions because they have inadequately disclosed their assets, business operations and/or management, their current financial condition, and/or financing arrangements involving the issuance of the companies' shares.

The trading suspensions will last for 10 business days, commencing today at 9:30 a.m. EDT and terminating at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Oct. 17, 2007.

The success of the SEC's Anti-Spam initiative is described in the Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, a semi-annual analysis and discussion of online threat activity during the previous six-month period. The most recent report was released Sept. 17, 2007: http://www.symantec.com/threatreport. The SEC's efforts are cited on page 107 of the report:1

"Spam related to financial services made up 21 percent of all spam in the first six months of 2007, making it the second most common type of spam during this period. The previous edition of the Internet Security Threat Report reported that Symantec had detected an increase in spam related to the financial services sector over the last six months of 2006. This was primarily due to an abundance of stock market "pump and dump" spam. However, in the current period, there has been a 30 percent decline in this type of spam from the previous period. This is due to a decline in spam touting penny stocks that was triggered by actions taken by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which limited the profitability of this type of spam by suspending trading of the stocks that are touted."

The SEC Division of Enforcement's Online Complaint Center similarly indicates a 30 percent decrease in spam-related complaints during the same 12-month period, with complaints dropping from more than one million complaints during the final six months of 2006 to 727,313 during the first 6 months of 2007. Moreover, while the Online Complaint Center received 166,741 complaints in February 2007 before the SEC unveiled its anti-spam initiative in March, the number of complaints about financial spam dropped to 67,785 last month - a nearly 60 percent decrease.

The Online Complaint Center can be reached at enforcement@sec.gov. The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Assistance has information for investors and members of the general public on topics directly related to this action by the SEC. See http://www.sec.gov/investor/35tradingsuspensions.htm for a compilation of helpful links.

Any broker, dealer or other person with information relating to this matter is invited to e-mail the Securities and Exchange Commission at 35suspensions@sec.gov.

SEC Online Complaint Center Data:

For more information, contact:

Bruce Karpati
Assistant Regional Director
SEC's New York Regional Office
(212) 336-0104

John Reed Stark
Chief, SEC's Office of Internet Enforcement
(202) 551-4892

John T. Dugan
Associate Regional Director
SEC's Boston Regional Office
(617) 573-8936

• Anatomy of a 419 scam - Detailed examination of how an American man fell for a fraudulent scheme operating out of the UK. [The Register] (July 9, 2004)
• Crackdown on £8.4m African sting - The idea of the African elite offering untold riches to strangers via e-mail or fax may seem absurd, but the National Criminal Intelligence Service says that victims are losing millions of pounds. [Scotland on Sunday] (March 2, 2003)
• The Nigerian Nightmare - Examines the 419 scam as well as its history, going back several decades. [Slate] (October 22, 2002)
• I crave your distinguished indulgence (and all your cash) - The author describes the mass of offers he has received from African nations, offering him a share of millions, with a description of how the scam works. [Salon] (August 7, 2001)
• MLM Watch   - Exposes pyramid schemes get-rich hype and dubious product claims. Authored by Stephen Barrett, M.D. of Quackwatch.
• Internet Hoaxes - Includes an introduction to -- and warning about -- three of the most widely-known Internet hoaxes which never seem to die out.
• Merokee Dot Com - Includes information about how to weed out Internet scams and fraud.
• The MLM Watch Dog - Exposes pyramid schemes and scams and teaches people how to avoid them.
• MMF Hall of Humiliation - Dedicated to naming and shaming "Make money fast" fraudsters.
• The Nigerian Scam Forum - The Nigerian Scam Forum
• Please, No More - I may be Carl Winslow, but I'm not THAT Carl Winslow.
• Skepdic - Fast Cash - Includes information about how to identify and avoid fast cash scams.
• The Spicey Chicken Cartel - Very humorous look at spam mail and the individuals responsible for these get rich scams.
• What you need to know about MMF - Includes a detailed explanation for beginners.
• What's Wrong With Multi-Level Marketing? - Includes an in-depth analysis of MMF and MLM techniques and areas to be avoided.
• Business Opportunities: Consumer Information - Federal Trade Commission site with tips on how to avoid scams. Most files are in PDF.
• Shaking the Money Tree - Online article by Ami Shen Lee exposes the pitfalls of multilevel marketing.
• Suspected Pyramid Schemes - Oregon Department of Justice site with information, hotline, and complaint form.
• What's Wrong with Multi-Level Marketing? - Provides an in-depth analysis of MLM and areas to be avoided. Includes links to anti-MLM research and information.
• Women Empowering Women, a Pyramid Gifting Scheme - Site details the pyramid gifting scheme operating in Massena, NY, also known in other cities as the Women Empowerment Network or as The Dinner Club.
• Skeptic's Dictionary: Pyramid Schemes, Chain Letters and Ponzi Schemes   - Defines these fraudulent systems of making money which require an endless stream of recruits for success.
• Chain Letters - Description of chain letters, why people think they can work, why they can't work. Extensive links.
• Chain Letters Are Not Legal - Postal Service judicial decision that debunks the claim that sending a "report" in exchange for cash makes a chain letter legal.
• US Postal Service: Chain Letters - Describes illegality of chain letters.

  • Advance Fee Fraud - Outlines how common variations of this scam operate, including loans, phony sweepstakes, west African letters. From the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
  • Advance Fee Fraud and Banks - Transcript of a talk on this type of fraud from a banker's perspective. [PDF]
  • 419 Advance Fee Fraud Nigerian Scam - An archive of e-mailed solicitations received, how much the web site owner would have supposedly made by now, which scenarios are used (e.g., dead foreigner, or chemically treated money), explanation of how the scam operates, and links.
  • Africanscam.co.uk - Information and links on 419 scams; correspondence and photographs from some scambaiting projects.
  • Artists Against 419 - Provides information on fake bank sites and how to distinguish them from legitimate ones, along with announcements of monthly flash mob events aiming to shut down fake bank sites through bandwidth siphoning.
  • Brian Wizard - Offers free pdf-format books about fighting Nigerian 419 letter scams and email fraud.
  • The 419 Coalition - Devoted to fighting the advance money scam, in which victims are offered millions for allowing an even greater sum to be deposited in their bank account, but end up having their accounts drained or being fooled into advancing fictitious taxes, fees or bribes.
  • Email Scams and Internet Frauds - A collection of advance fee fraud messages from all over the globe.
  • E-Mail Scams: How to Recognize Advance Fee Fraud - The "Nigerian Letter" du jour, interspersed with comments. For the small business owner who might think that just possibly an offer out of the blue for a cut of millions of dollars could be truthful.
  • FW - Investment Consulting - Examples of business financing fraud (based on advance fees) and other fraudulent schemes.
  • Greater Things: Nigerian / 419 Scam - The experience of a businessman fooled by this scam. Contact is initiated via letter, fax, or email offers of millions of dollars in compensation for holding even more millions of dollars in your bank account.
  • International Investigation Services, Nigeria Division - Describing the Nigerian advance fee scam, with a searchable database of known names used by persons participating in the fraud, along with an archive of the letters and fake documents they use, and a bulletin board.
  • ISCS Corporation and Receiver Corporation - Info about an alleged employment and job training scam running in Chicago.
  • 419Legal - Advance Free Fraud forums, information and links to fraudulent sites.
  • Nigeria E-Mail Scam aka 419 Scam aka Advance Fee Fraud - Description of the scam's mechanics, history, senders' aliases, ways to easily identify the scam email, and related links.
  • Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud - Detailed information on the scheme, centered largely in Nigeria, wherein people are offered a share of millions of dollars to help transfer the money to their bank account. From the U.S. State Department. [1.04M] [PDF]
  • Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud - Pamphlet from the Australian Institute of Criminology. Press release, abstract, information on ordering the print publication.
  • Nigerian Advanced Fee Fraud - The Minnesota Attorney General's office describes how the scheme works, and tells businesses, nonprofits, and individuals what they can do if they receive an offer through the mail to transfer money out of a foreign country.
  • Nigerian Fraud Email Gallery - An archive of several hundred scam letters, with date received, names of supposed senders, country where the money is supposed to have originated, and amount.
  • Nigerian Scam - Outlines the basics of this con, mentions variations, gives an example of a typical letter, explains how victims are taken in by this long-running scam. Links to further information.
  • The "Nigerian" Scam: Costly Compassion - Federal Trade Commission alert on those polite letters from strangers in trouble, which promise a large financial reward for discreetly helping them.
  • Nigerian Scams - Describes some variations of the "Nigerian Scam," scam indicators, typical opening lines, phone numbers mentioned, web sites used by the scammers. Names, company names, and e-mail addresses used by the gangsters.
  • The Sani Abacha Fraud - An insight to a fraudulent email campaign.
  • Scam 419 - An online database of scam 419 letters, explanation of how the scam operates, all the necessary links related to the 419 fraud.
  • 419 Scam Email Repository - An information-gathering site dedicated to listing emails sent by advanced fee fraudsters.
  • ScamLetters.com - Database of email scam messages, aimed at the general public and law enforcement.
  • The 419 Scam/Nigerian Scam - People in academia can be targets of advance fee fraud schemes too. Sample letter, bullet list of common features of a "419" scam, and FAQ. From University of Pennsylvania Computing/Information Security.
  • West African Advanced Fee Fraud - What the West African "419" fraud is, how it works, where victims meet up with the criminals operating this scheme, what residents of the UK should do if they receive a 419 letter. From the Metropolitan Police.

    SCAMBAITING LINKS: 

    Scamorama - The 2nd best scambaiting site on the internet! Seriously, a fabulous site.

    Scambaiter Deutschland - Impressive looking site in German.

    Artists Against 419 - Help us to close down fake banks!

    ScamPatrol - A great place for support and information.

    419Baiter - "Stringing-along 419 scammers for my amusement"

    419 Email Database - A good collection of 419 scam emails

    Must Destroy 419 - Follow 419 scammers getting their just desserts!

    Crime Online Info - Personal comments on 419 & general scams.

    The Nigerian Scam Page - Do you get email from Nigeria?!

    Fahrenheit 419 - 'Scambustin in the UK'

    The Kman Site - More baiting fun!

    The Rev. Kevin Mingeeater! - A new and very promising site.

    419.bittenus.com - My Nigerian pen pals.

    FourOneNine.co.uk - Mugus I have annoyed.

    Football 419 - Great scambaits, and some super trophy pictures.

    Goofing WIth Nigerian Scammers - Donny & Marie fight the good fight!

    The Mel Snipe Baits - Those who are about to die I salute you!

    Chaos on Scammers - Mugus I have met - Another new and very promising site.

    Trevor Andthat - Great new site with some really funny stuff!

    Scammertainment - If you want quality baits AND quality pictures, here's the place!

    Scambuster419 - If it sounds too good to be true... It is too good to be true.

    Got Mike? - Some terrific baits going on here.

    The 419 Game - The Reverend Ebenezer J Codpiece's 419 Game.

    Robert K. Keller - Well worth a visit for some top-notch baiting.

    String-along-a-fraudster - A new, but very promising site!

    419 Fun - New site, but I can guarantee a good time!

    Fighting Back at the AFF Scammers - Full of some truly excellent baits!

    Crimes of Persuasion - Some really good resources here.

    Mr. Udo Watt Scam Baiter Pages - Excellent source of amusement!

    Ebola Monkey Man - Another super site which pulls no punches - Heed the site warnings!

    Diamond David Lee Roth - Some truly excellent anti-scams here.

    What's The Bloody Point? - Scam baiting par excellence. Some VERY funny stuff here!

    Bait A Mugu - Top of the range baiting

    The Scammers Graveyard - Some great twists and turns here!

    Scamjunky - The home of Dick Pleasure. Your pleasure is his purpose!

    Quatloos - Good general fraud site with a 419 section.

    The Nigerian Letters - Awesome display of scammer baiting skills and image manipulation! 

    MISCELLANEOUS ANTI-SCAM LINKS, INFORMATION AND HELP 

    Scam Info Links - Scam information links, resources, alerts & news

    ScamWarners.com - Informing, alerting & assisting the general public and fraud victims.

    oil-offshore-marine.com - Oil Offshore Marine - Beware Job Scams.

    onlinedetektiv-direkt.de - Victim support & information in the German language.

    HotScams.com - Excellent scam resource & information.

    Chatham House Report - PDF Report. Nigeria Related Financial Crime: links with Britain (281k).

    Cyber Top Cops - Fighting Spam, fraud & other cyber crimes.

    Internet Crime Complaint Center - US based site for filing cybercrime complaints.

    antiscamclub.com - Great resource. Database of scammer profiles and information.

    phishing-fraud.com - Phishing Fraud Scams. Avoid becoming a victim of fraud and identity theft.

    The Incredible Spam Museum - Don't take it too bad: we do collect spam!

    Webnetpresence.com - Know the enemy: Online scammers.

    Anti Marketing - A great site with many anti-Spam/fraud resources.

    Monitor Das Fraudes - Fraud monitoring site in the Portugues language.

    Car Buying Scam Explained - Good information about the Car Buying Scam and Cheque Scam.

    spamfo.co.uk - Central resource of info related to spam, scams and phishing.

    politicsandcurrentaffairs.com - Politics & Current Affairs forum.

    Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) - Combating 419 fraud. Excellent resource.

    Spam Links - A great resource of 419 links and advice.

    419 Scam Busters Tips Page - A super resource of tools and tips.

    The 419 Coalition Website - Lots of good advice and even more great links!

    FIGHTING BACK AT NIGERIAN 419 FRAUD - Really Quality baits and info!

    THE MARXIST DETECTIVE - excellent anti-scam site!

    SCAMORAMA - Contains many baits and also LOADS of information.

    419 EATER - Nicely set out site with great baits and a busy forum.

    UDU WHAT? - Some of the best Scam-baits on the internet!

    DIAMOND DAVID LEE ROTH - One of the first Scam-baiting sites that we found.

    THE EBOLA MONKEY MAN - In a word... EXTREME!

    BAIT A MUGU- Excellent Scambaits!