The FBI has announced that the “Falafel Investigation” described in the article “FBI Hoped to Follow Falafel Trail to Iranian Terrorists" on Nov 2, 2007 is false story.

In a press release dated Nov 26, 2007, FBI spokesperson John Miller states “While the story may have been the source of some amusement, I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight on something that touches on something so important as national security and civil liberties.”

The Falafel Investigation story has been picked up by numerous blogs, including that of the LA Times .According to the FBI press release, the story is indeed “to ridiculous to be true”.

For a moment, Internet users can rejoice.  Robert Soloway of Seattle was indicted on 35 counts today in Seattle. Charges include identity theft, mail fraud, wire fraud and even money laundering.  He could face 75 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors stated that they expected to see a drop in spam due to Soloway’s arrest. And In fact, according to an Information Week article, there has been an 8% drop.

Solloway’s company, Newport Internet Marketing offered broadcast email services and software. It is alleged that the company promoted that email addresses were “opt in” when they were not. Many legitimate businesses fell victim to his spam scheme. Solloway used a network of proxies and bots to distribute his spam.

Poetry Scam or not? This is the big question. We have received many emails about poetry.com and asking why we have not covered this poetry scam. Well truth be told, we are not so sure we would classify it as a cut and dry scam, but we do think their “marketing” tactics are deceptive.

In a nutshell here is how it works: They send you a series of emails where they identify you as a nominated poet for an awards dinner. The emails discuss the top prize, and the award show. It also goes through various costs to attend the show, and you can then purchase various membership packages and award packages.. In addition, the email series states that because you are nominated, they deem your poetry worthy of publishing in one of their books. They ask for about $50 to publish the poem, and apparently more to have it published on its own page.

There are several accusations that the poetry books that they publish aren’t readily available at book stores. Apparently it is very hard to purchase outside of their Web site. However, these books are published and sent to the people that pay for them.

Pretty straightforward, so where is the rub? Well apparently everyone gets nominated, and many people feel duped because it is not the honor it appears to be. In addition, there are claims that if you don’t pay to have your poem published, it never gets published. We don’t consider this a poetry scam, because apparently there actually is an awards show, there is a published book (several a year) and participants do receive what they are promised. Then, technically they are doing what they say they do. The end result, is just that what they receive is not the quality that they expected, but there are not any laws against that.

Bottom line; always know what you are signing up for, especially when there is money involved.

As tax season approaches, we take this time to inform you about various IRS email scams and hoaxes that pop up during this time of year. IRS email scams can be found at all times of the year, they just seem to be more frequent during tax season.

The first thing to keep in mind is that the IRS will never initiate contact with an email. If you come across any of these IRS email scams forward the email to phishing@irs.gov .

Often the emails play on consumers’ emotions, typically fear. One form of the email scams uses the IRS logo and threatens to “e-audit” you. The email scams state to send the them personal information (social security number, birth date, etc) or otherwise an “IRS” e-audit will need to be performed.

Another type of IRS email scam uses the promise of an unclaimed refund as the bait. The email states that after reviewing IRS records, that you are eligible for an $X amount of money. In order to claim the money you will need to fill out a tax refund request. The scam email includes a link to a fake tax refund request that collects your personal information. You can see a sample here.

Another fake IRS email states that your account has been blocked because of multiple fraudulent attempts to access your account. To ensure security of your IRS account, they have shut it down and in order to reopen your account you will need to fill out a form. The form is of course fake and is on an email scammers own Web site. The form asks for personal information, which the con artist then uses to steal your identity.

These are just examples of email scams that use the IRS name to trick you. There are multiple versions of these scams. Remember the IRS will NEVER initiate contact with you via email. If you come across any of these IRS email scams forward the email to phishing@irs.gov. For more information on IRS email scams see: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=155344,00.html

The Louisiana Lottery has issued a warning about an email scam involving the Powerball Lottery game.

The email scam consists of a fake email that looks like it is an official email from Powerball or the Louisiana Lottery. The fraudulent email asks for personal information, and money up front to collect winnings (most likely called a processing fee). Consumers should know that the Powerball lottery and the Louisiana lottery never ask for money up front in order to collect winnings.

More information can be obtained from the official release at the Louisiana Lottery Web site.

Nigerian email scams and hoaxes have been bouncing around the Internet for years. The email scam basically consists of a scenario where the con artist states that he has a large sum of money that for various reasons, he needs to hide in your bank account. In return you will get a large sum of cash.

The email scam has been modified to involve Switzerland and Holocaust victims. They claim to be a victim and need you to get the money they rightfully deserve. They then send you a bogus check which you cash, keep your sum and then send them the remainder. The check then bounces a couple of weeks AFTER you have deposited into the bank. (Just because a bank makes the funds available, does not always mean that the money has cleared).

Long story short, don’t accept checks or send cash to anyone that you have met on the Internet. More likely than not it is an email scam or Internet hoax.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Compliant Center for the FBI reported today that they have identified a new wave of spam / email hoaxes. The emails appear to be from 1wayout@myway.com (please note that the sender can easily change this). The emails actually threaten to assassinate the recipient unless several thousand dollars are sent to the sender. The email claims that they have followed the victim and was hired to kill the victim. The sender threatens to kill the recipient if they go to the police or if they do not send the money / response quickly.

If you have experienced this situation, the FBI has requested that you notify your local law enforcement agency immediately. They are also requesting that you contact the Internet Crime Compliant Center so that they can track occurrences of these emails.

Game Websites Reportedly Seized By FBI

Websites are being hacked and defaced to make it look like the FBI has seized them. It appears that game websites have been the primary target, but the FBI warns that the hackers may expand their attacks to other websites.

The hackers use the FBI seal, anti-piracy warnings, and claim that the FBI seized the website. Sometimes the domain registrar information is even hacked and changed to display the FBI as the owner.

For more information see the FBI alert

Many new email scams are circulating on the Internet. One of the email scams currently hitting Internet inboxes offers a free Sony phone. The offer goes something like this:

Sony Ericsson is giving away phones for free. Sony Ericsson is trying word-of-mouth advertising to introduce its product and the reward you receive for advertising for them is a free phone free of cost. To receive your free phone all you have to do is to send this email out to 8 people (for a free Sony Erricsson j200i) or 20 people (for a free Sony Ericsson k400i WAP).

Because of the nature of this email, you may receive it from a friend.

This is an email scam, you should ignore and delete it.

Email Scam Reported by the Social Security Administration

The email scam’s subject reads “Cost of Living for 2007 update” and presents itself as being from the Social Security Administration. The email informs you that there will be a 3.3 percent benefit increase in 2007, and that in order to receive the increase you will need to update your personal information. It also states that if you do not update your information then they will be forced to suspend your account.

You are then pointed to a website that is fake and is made to look like the Social Security Administrations website. The website requests you to put in a password to create an account,. The website then requests you to confirm your identity by providing your Social Security number, bank account information and credit card information.

Never provide your social security number online unless you are absolutely certain of its origination.

To report suspicious Social Security emails, please visit the Inspector General Report Fraud page.

Better Business Bureau announces to look out for “vishing”

Vishing, what is it anyway?

Vishing is an extension of “phishing”. Instead of relying solely on emails, vishers use the telephone.

Vishing currently works 1 of 2 ways:

The first way, is the scammer sends out a “phishing” type email (usually a financial institution), in addition to using a false URL, they are including a false phone number. The victim is urged to call the phone number immediately. If someone calls the phone number, an automated message (or sometimes a human) requests account information. The vishers then uses the information gathered to steal money, etc.

The second way, is that the “visher” cold calls victims. On caller ID, the visher’s phone number appears as a credible local phone number. To establish credibility, a prerecorded message (or live person) claims that their account may have been compromised and asks for account information. The scammer then uses this information to steal money or the victim’s identity.

For more information visit the Vishing article at the Better Business Bureau.

This email hoax comes in the form of 2 emails from the same sender, and appear to come from the FBI.

The first email is supposedly from FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III, and states that you are eligible for a large sum of money and that it can be claimed by providing FBI Identification Record and a Certificate of Ownership. The email contains images and content taken from the official FBI web site, so at a quick glance it may seem official.

The second email supposedly comes from Donna M. Uzzell. This email tells you that the certificate ownership is supplied at a cost. It then gives instructions for sending money to the FBI in Nigeria to issue the certificate. Then the email starts to threaten you that the FBI can track you down if you don’t fill out the paperwork, and that they will charge you.

This is an email hoax, please do not respond to it.

Thanks to Auntie Joan for passing on this good one!

I'm so happy to get a chain mail that is worth spreading because it's true, and is for a good cause.

Here's the email:

Subject: Pleeeaaassseee keep this going!

We have all been touched by cancer, somewhere in our lives,

please read below and keep it going.

I have been asked to keep this going and hope you will keep it moving too.

New M&M colors

Pass this on to all of your friends. There are many women out there
who have breast cancer. Lets do all we can to support this cause.

New Pink &White M&M's

The maker of M&M candies has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer Foundation to raise funds through the sale of their new "pink
&white" M&M candies.

For each 8-ounce bag of the special candies sold, the makers of M&M
(Masterfoods) will donate 50 cents to the foundation. The next time you
want a treat, please pick up a bag (now sold in stores nationwide) -

you will be donating to a great cause and satisfying your sweet tooth.

Just think...If each of us buy one bag or two.... how much will be donated. Buy a bag for a friend...........

Please pass on to all your family and friends.

The official website is here

Learn about chain letters and hoaxes

Thanks to Auntie Joan for Forwarding this example of a scary urban legend.

Before reading and getting all worked up - relax - this is FALSE. What we should get worked up about is people spreading these rumors and slandering a company by spreading false claims.

Here's the email:

"I recently had a neighbor who had to have their 5-year old German Shepherd dog put down due to liver failure. The dog was completely healthy until a few weeks ago, so they had a necropsy done to see what the cause was. The liver levels were unbelievable, as if the dog had ingested poison of some kind. The dog is kept inside, and when he's outside, someone's with him, so the idea of him getting into something unknown was hard to believe. My neighbor started going through all the items in the house. When he got to the Swiffer Wetjet, he noticed, in very tiny print, a warning which stated "may be harmful to small children and animals." He called the company to ask what the contents of the cleaning agent are and was astounded to find out that antifreeze is one of the ingredients. (actually he was told it's a compound which is one molecule away from anitfreeze).

Therefore, just by the dog walking on the floor cleaned with the solution, then licking it's own paws, and the dog eating from its dishes which were kept on the kitchen floor cleaned with this product, it ingested enough of the solution to destroy its liver.

Soon after his dog's death, his housekeepers' two cats also died of liver failure. They both used the Swiffer Wetjet for quick cleanups on their floors. Necropsies weren't done on the cats, so they couldn't file a lawsuit, but he asked that we spread the word to as many people as possible so they don't lose their animals."

Now The truth about the danger to pets and children from Swiffer

The ingredients in the swiffer cleaning fluid are Water (about 80%) Propylene glycol n-propyl ether and propylene glycol n-butyl ether (in small percentages).

Antifreeze is made of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is the common ingredient and this is what the FDA has to say about it:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is "generally recognized as safe" for use in food. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is a solvent for food colors and flavors.

Propylene glycol is also used to create artificial smoke or fog used in fire-fighting training and in theatrical productions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as "generally recognized as safe," which means that it is acceptable for use in flavorings, drugs, and cosmetics, and as a direct food additive.

Finally, Proctor & Gamble have their own rebuttal to this malicious letter:

...."We have pets too, and their health and well-being is very important to us. Please help us put animal lovers' minds at ease and stop this rumor by sharing the truth with others."

(read entire letter here)

The ASPCA's Response to the false Swiffer claims...

..."The Swiffer Wet Jet system contains water (90-100%), propylene glycol n-propyl ether or propylene glycol n-butyl ether and isopropyl alcohol (1-4%). These ingredients are safe to use around pets when used according to label directions and would not cause liver damage at product concentrations. Propylene glycol n-butyl/propyl ether differs significantly from ethylene glycol, the potentially toxic ingredient present in most antifreeze products. Ethylene glycol is frequently implicated in causing renal failure in dogs following antifreeze ingestion. Propylene glycol n-propyl ether and propylene glycol n-butyl ether are very safe ingredients at levels used in cleaning products and do not cause kidney or liver failure."...

Read the ASPCA's entire response to this rumour

Thanks To Jimmy Turk for sending this in.

This is a classic example of a phishing/scam e-mail. The sender in this case is asking for contact information and bank account number!

There is a wealth of information on this kind of scam at http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/Business/nigerian.htm and while the focus is on Nigerian scams, the earmarks are the same no matter the origin.

Please do not fall into a trap that could potentially rob you of your identity, money and worse, end you up in prison for cashing a fraudulant cheque.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Dear jimmy turk .

How are you today?

To acknowledge the receipt of your email,I wish to emphasize you that you are requested to represent this Man Mike as his next of kin since you bear the same Name with him.

Sequel to your indication in your email that you have to contact your Lawyer for this action,Please note that this transaction is confidential and needed to be treated with utmost care and secret till we finally comfirmed the transfer of the fund into your Nominated Bank Account.

Note that every necessary arrangment has been put in place waiting for you to provide the following information to enable the Bank transfer the fund into your Nominated Bank Account.

You are requested to send your Bank Account information for the transfer/remittance of this fund into your Account and your telephone/fax numbers for effective and easy communication verbally/orally.

Upon the receipt of this email,you are advised to call me on +234-8037156543 for verbal communication sequel to the sucess of this transaction.

Be informed that this transaction will not last morethan 7banking days to its final conclusion if only you will follow my advise,instructions and guideline,so you are however asked to be serious with this transaction and we shall make the fund.

Waiting for your call and the providion of your contact information and the demanded Bank Account for the fund transfer.

Call me immediately.

Regards,

Mr.John Cole.