Day: September 22, 2009

WhoIs www.burstnet.akadns.net

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Summary

akadns.net (“Akamai Technologies, Inc.”) is a domain controlled by nine nameservers. There are two duplicated IP numbers. Some of them are on the same IP network. Incoming mail for akadns.net is handled by two mailservers at akamai.com. They are on different IP networks. ak1.net, qz3.net, netli.net, netli.com, akamai.de and at least 43 other hosts share mailservers with this domain. ms.akadns.net, uk.akadns.net, wu.akadns.net, us.akadns.net, cj.akadns.net and at least 100 other hosts are subdomains to this hostname.

Internet Spies and their Locations….

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Tips for Recognizing and Avoiding Fake Check Scams

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If someone you don’t know wants to pay you by check but wants you to wire some of the money back, beware! It’s a scam that could cost you thousands of dollars.

  • There are many variations of the fake check scam. It could start with someone offering to buy something you advertised, pay you to do work at home, give you an “advance” on a sweepstakes you’ve supposedly won, or pay the first installment on the millions that you’ll receive for agreeing to have money in a foreign country transferred to your bank account for safekeeping. Whatever the pitch, the person may sound quite believable.
  • Fake check scammers hunt for victims. They scan newspaper and online advertisements for people listing items for sale, and check postings on online job sites from people seeking employment. They place their own ads with phone numbers or email addresses for people to contact them. And they call or send emails or faxes to people randomly, knowing that some will take the bait.
  • They often claim to be in another country. The scammers say it’s too difficult and complicated to send you the money directly from their country, so they’ll arrange for someone in the U.S. to send you a check.
  • They tell you to wire money to them after you’ve deposited the check.If you’re selling something, they say they’ll pay you by having someone in the U.S. who owes them money send you a check. It will be for more than the sale price; you deposit the check, keep what you’re owed, and wire the rest to them. If it’s part of a work-at-home scheme, they may claim that you’ll be processing checks from their “clients.” You deposit the checks and then wire them the money minus your “pay.” Or they may send you a check for more than your pay “by mistake” and ask you to wire them the excess. In the sweepstakes and foreign money offer variations of the scam, they tell you to wire them money for taxes, customs, bonding, processing, legal fees, or other expenses that must be paid before you can get the rest of the money.
  • The checks are fake but they look real. In fact, they look so real that even bank tellers may be fooled. Some are phony cashiers checks, others look like they’re from legitimate business accounts. The companies whose names appear may be real, but someone has dummied up the checks without their knowledge.
  • You don’t have to wait long to use the money, but that doesn’t mean the check is good. Under federal law, banks have to make the funds you deposit available quickly – usually within one to five days, depending on the type of check. But just because you can withdraw the money doesn’t mean the check is good, even if it’s a cashier’s check. It can take weeks for the forgery to be discovered and the check to bounce.
  • You are responsible for the checks you deposit. That’s because you’re in the best position to determine the risk – you’re the one dealing directly with the person who is arranging for the check to be sent to you. When a check bounces, the bank deducts the amount that was originally credited to your account. If there isn’t enough to cover it, the bank may be able to take money from other accounts you have at that institution, or sue you to recover the funds. In some cases, law enforcement authorities could bring charges against the victims because it may look like they were involved in the scam and knew the check was counterfeit.
  • There is no legitimate reason for someone who is giving you money to ask you to wire money back. If a stranger wants to pay you for something, insist on a cashiers check for the exact amount, preferably from a local bank or a bank that has a branch in your area.
  • Don’t deposit it – report it! Report fake check scams to NCL’s Fraud Center, at www.fraud.org. That information will be transmitted to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Tips for Buying Drugs Online

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Consumers have lots of choices for buying prescription drugs these days. But beware – counterfeit drugs are on the rise. You might throw your money away on ineffective drugs, or even worse, you could be harmed by taking drugs that aren’t what they pretend to be.

  • Don’t buy from an online seller that doesn’t require a prescription. It’s against the law to sell prescription drugs to people who don’t have prescriptions for them. Reputable online drug sellers verify each prescription they receive before filling the order. Always talk to your doctor before taking any prescription drugs.

    • If you don’t already have a prescription, don’t deal with a Web site that will provide one based on an online questionnaire, without an in-person physical exam.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Medical Association, if you get a prescription without a physical exam, you could receive a drug that is inappropriate, or even dangerous because of a condition that you might not realize you have. Your doctor will also have a record of any other drugs you are taking and can make sure any new drug you take will not dangerously interact with the drugs you are already taking.

  • Don’t buy from a site that advertises “miracle drugs” for a new cure for a serious disease. These drugs are not usually approved by the FDA and could be dangerous or not effective. Other danger signs include claims for a “new cure” for a serious disease, or use of impressive sounding terminology to disguise a lack of good science.
  • Make sure a licensed pharmacist is available to answer your questions. Whether you’re buying prescription drugs online, through the mail, by telephone, or in person, reputable sellers should have pharmacists available to answer questions.
  • Beware of online pharmacies that don’t list an address or toll-free phone number to contact in case of a problem. They may be deliberately attempting to make it harder to track them down.
  • Avoid Web sites that only sell a limited number of medications, especially “lifestyle” medications that treat obesity, impotence, herpes, pain and acne. Such Websites are designed to attract consumers who have privacy concerns and wish to avoid an in-person doctor’s visit. The Websites are more likely to sell prescription drugs without legitimate prescriptions.
  • When you buy medications online, make sure the seller is properly licensed. Check with your state board of pharmacy or the National Association of Boards Pharmacy at http://www.nabp.net (click on “Who We Are” on the left and then “Boards of Pharmacy” for a list of state boards) or call 847-698-6227. These sources can tell you if the online seller is licensed. You should check the state board of pharmacy where the online seller is located, and your own state board of pharmacy. Some sites display a seal, such as the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s VIPPS seal, as proof that the site has met state and federal requirements. Dealing with pharmacies that display the VIPPS seal, or other similar certification seals, gives you more confidence that they and the products they sell are legitimate. See a list of VIPPS-accredited pharmacies at: http://www.nabp.net/vipps/consumer/listall.asp
  • If you suspect you have bought a counterfeit drug online, report it. Notify the online drug seller. You should also report your suspicions about counterfeit drugs bought online to the FDA. Use the online reporting form at http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm or call the FDA’s Medwatch program at 1-800-332-1088. In addition, ask your doctor for medical advice if you believe you have taken a counterfeit drug.

SOURCE: FRAUD.ORG

FDA Guide: Buying Medicine and Medical Products over the Internet

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Use of the Internet to buy medical products is growing rapidly. Many consumers benefit from the convenience and privacy of this new option. Unfortunately, both consumers and legitimate pharmacies are now being threatened by the “rogue sites” of fraudulent or disreputable Internet businesses that sell products illegally. While FDA is working to combat these illegal sites, these educational products can help to educate consumers on how to safely and legally buy medical products online.

To obtain printed copies of any of these materials, please email your request by title to:dpapubs@fda.hhs.gov. You can also call 301-796-3703 or 1-888-INFO-FDA.

“FDA Consumer Safety Alert: “Don’t buy these drugs over the Internet or from foreign sources.” This one-pager is a list of twelve medicines that have known serious side effects.  If these drugs are bought over the Internet or from foreign sources, these safety controls are bypassed, placing patients who use these drugs at higher risk.

FDA.GOV

Freelance Quick Book Assistant (CA)

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The Purpose of This Post Is To ALERT You That The Job You Are About To APPLY TO or May Have Applied For or is CONSIDERING APPLYING FOR Is Fraudulent. A LEGITIMATE COMPANY IDENTITY HAS BEEN STOLEN OR A BOGUS ONE CREATED

These job postings are an attempt to lure you into cashing counterfeit checks and have you wire funds via Western Union or MoneyGram -Essentially You Become A Money or RePackage Mule

Money Mule Explained

Read All About This at Symantec Corp.

Freelancer is needed work on partime from home office to complete quick book/payroll tasks.

You will be required to make use of Versa Check Software.

Applicant are expected to be Work at home freelancer,Have Versacheck Software {a quick book tool},have internet access and have basic computer skills {Excel}

Freelancer will be entitled to Flexible arrangements & Attractive payment.

Apply via e-mail and give us a call on (210) 607 8417 if you dont get a response within 48 hours.

  • Location: CA
  • This is a part-time job.
  • This is a contract job.
  • Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
  • Please, no phone calls about this job!
  • Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Ponzi Scheme at Summit Umpqua Bank Had Knowledge

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September 15, Courthouse News Service – (National)

Investors say bank abetted Ponzi scam. Former clients and creditors of bankrupt Summit Accommodators say Umpqua Bank loaned Summit millions of dollars to help it continue a $30 million Ponzi scheme, and that Umpqua knew about the scam. The bankruptcy trustee overseeing the defunct firm filed a similar lawsuit in June. The lead plaintiff says Summit Accommodators owners spent 13 years funneling millions from Summit’s bank accounts to affiliate Inland Capital before the company went bankrupt in 2008. Two more conspirators joined Summit as quarter-owners in 2006, according to the complaint. The owners allegedly embezzled from Inland and spent the money on themselves, causing liquidity problems that left Summit unable to pay its bills. That is when the owners started their Ponzi scheme, bringing in new investors to pay off the old ones, according to the complaint. In 2007, the owners “described in great detail all relevant aspects of their Ponzi scheme and embezzlement” to Umpqua’s CEO and then-President during a pitch to get a loan or equity investment from the bank, the lawsuit states. Umpqua granted Summit substantial loans despite its knowledge of Summit’s Ponzi scheme, according to the complaint. It allegedly encouraged Summit to shift all of its business to Umpqua, facilitating the exchange of millions because of the large fees it earned on Summit’s deposit base.

Source: http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/09/15/Investors_Say_Bank_Abetted_Ponzi_Scam.htm

W.Va. man pleads guilty in oil and gas investment case

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Kentucky.com
 Herald-Leader Staff Report

A West Virginia man indicted for conspiring to defraud oil and gas investors out of $3.1 million pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Ray Garton, 59, of Barrackville, W.Va., admitted that while he was employed by Target Oil and Gas Inc. and Kentucky Indiana Oil and Gas Co. Inc. in Albany and Danville, Ky., he prepared or approved others to prepare drilling program brochures that included misrepresentations and false statements. Garton also admitted to meeting with potential investors at proposed drilling locations in West Virginia and misrepresenting the potential of the sites and the past success of other projects.
The indictment alleged that the oil and gas companies collected nearly $3.2 million from investors, but distributed only $37,882 in royalties, between 2003 and 2008.

Garton will be sentenced next year, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. He faces up to 20 years in prison. A trial for five others indicted in the case will be Nov. 4.

Investment Scams Warning Signs

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Investment Scams Warning Signs

Investment scams can take many shapes-and they’ll be really tempting. Whatever the scam, scammers use some of the same tactics to get you hooked. Listen for phrases like these. When you hear any of these pitches, heed the warning that you’re looking at a scam:

    • “Your profit is guaranteed.”
    • “It’s an amazingly high rate of return.”
    • “There’s no risk.”
    • “You can get in on the ground floor.”
    • “You would be a fool to pass this by.”
    • “This offer is only available today.”
    • “I’ll get you the paperwork later.”
    • “Just make your check out to me.”

Red Flags of Fraud

To stay on guard and avoid becoming drawn into a scam, look for the warning signs of investment fraud:

  • Guarantees: Be suspect of anyone who guarantees that an investment will perform a certain way. All investments carry some degree of risk.

  • Unregistered products: Many investment scams involve unlicensed individuals selling unregistered securities—ranging from stocks, bonds, notes, hedge funds, oil or gas deals, or fictitious instruments, such as prime bank investments.

  • Overly consistent returns: Any investment that consistently goes up month after month—or that provides remarkably steady returns regardless of market conditions—should raise suspicions, especially during turbulent times. Even the most stable investments can experience hiccups once in a while.

  • Complex strategies: Avoid anyone who credits a highly complex investing technique for unusual success. Legitimate professionals should be able to explain clearly what they are doing. It is critical that you fully understand any investment you’re seriously considering—including what it is, what the risks are and how the investment makes money.

  • Missing documentation: If someone tries to sell you a security with no documentation—that is, no prospectus in the case of a stock or mutual fund, and no offering circular in the case of a bond—he or she may be selling unregistered securities. The same is true of stocks without stock symbols.

  • Account discrepancies: Unauthorized trades, missing funds or other problems with your account statements could be the result of a genuine error—or they could indicate churning or fraud. Keep an eye on your account statements to make sure account activity is consistent with your instructions, and be sure you know who holds your assets. For instance, is the investment adviser also the custodian of your assets? Or is there an independent third-party custodian? It can be easier for fraud to occur if an adviser is also the custodian of the assets and keeper of the accounts.

  • A pushy salesperson: No reputable investment professional should push you to make an immediate decision about an investment, or tell you that you’ve got to “act now.” If someone pressures you to decide on a stock sale or purchase, steer clear. Even if no fraud is taking place, this type of pressuring is inappropriate.

OIL AND GAS INVESTMENT FRAUD

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OIL AND GAS INVESTMENT FRAUD
North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) Offer These Tips:

State securities regulators around the country warn that oil and gas investment scams are alive and well. High oil prices have created a heightened interest in investments in energy-related business ventures.

Most oil and gas investment opportunities, while involving varying degrees of risks to the investor, are legitimate in their marketing and responsible in their operations. However, as in many other investment opportunities, it is not unusual for unscrupulous promoters to attempt to take advantage of investors by engaging in fraudulent practices.

Although some of the con artists moved on to more lucrative venues since the oil boom ended in the mid-1980s, many continued to linger on in the oil field. Now with the constant fluctuation of oil prices, some of these people have made their way back to these kinds of scams. When there is a highly publicized economic circumstance, which creates an opportunity for money to be made legitimately, scamsters follow in the shadows to take advantage of the situation.

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WHAT ARE OIL AND GAS INVESTMENTS?

Oil and gas investments take many forms, including limited partnership interests, ownership of fractional undivided interests in leases, and general partnerships. Tax consequences and investor liability vary according to the type of program. True general partnerships in which investors actively participate in the operations of the venture are not securities. A general partner, however, is personally liable for partnership debts.

In a drilling limited partnership, an oil or gas company sells partnership units to investors and uses the money it raises to lease property and drill wells. In return for managing the project, the sponsor company usually takes an upfront fee that averages about 15-16% of one’s investment (commonly referred to as tangible and intangible drilling costs) and also shares in a percentage of any revenue generated. In return, the promoter offers the investor the prospect of a substantial first year tax write-off and quarterly cash distributions from the sale of any oil and gas the partnership finds until the wells run dry.

Drilling partnerships have always been a gamble, but recently, they have proven somewhat riskier than usual. This type of investment is very speculative, is a highly illiquid investment and can have a long holding period.

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FRAUDULENT SALES TECHNIQUES

Fraudulent oil and gas deals are frequently structured with the limited partnership (or other legal entity) in one state, the operation and physical presence of the field in a second state, and the offerings made to prospective investors in states other than the initial two states. Thus there is less chance of an investor dropping by a well site or a nonexistent company headquarters. Such a structure also makes it difficult for law enforcement officials and victims to identify and expose the fraud.

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BOILER ROOMS & INTERNET PITCHES

In order to attract the interest of potential investors, unprincipled promoters frequently use the Internet and “boiler room” offices with banks of phones manned by salespeople with little or no background in energy exploration, but plenty of experience in high-pressure sales. Their techniques include repeated unsolicited phone calls to members of the public, hyping the profitability of the deal. Some swindlers use professionally designed brochures. Beware of unsolicited oil and gas promotions on the internet and through e-mail. State securities regulators caution potential investors to beware of the following claims in a typical high-pressure sales pitch, whether through unsolicited telephone calls or e-mail messages:

– You will have an interest in a well that cannot miss;

– The risks are minimal;

– A geologist has given the salesperson a tip;

– The salesperson has personally invested in the venture;

– The promoter has “hit” on every well drilled so far;

– There has been a tremendous “discovery” in an adjacent field;

– A large, reputable oil company is operating or planning to operate in the area;

– Only a few interests remain to be sold and you should immediately send in your money in order to assure the purchase of an interest;

– This is a special private deal open only to a lucky chosen few investors.

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INVESTOR CHECKLIST: HOW TO AVOID BEING SWINDLED

State securities regulators advise potential investors not to be afraid to ask the hard questions when solicited for oil and gas investment opportunities. Investors wanting to make oil and gas investments should consider oil exploration and producing companies which are well-established and listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

You can minimize the risk of being swindled if you resist pressures to make hurried, uninformed investment decisions. There are several steps you should take before parting with your money. State securities regulators have developed a checklist of five key areas to examine before investing.

1. The Registration Requirements. Ask if the offering is filed with the office of the state securities commission in your state or the state in which the promoters are located. If so, contact that agency for any information it may be able to provide. If the promoter claims that the offering is exempt from registration requirements in the particular state in which the offers and sales are made, find out which of the exemptions is claimed and the terms of the exemption.

Contact the state securities agency to confirm that the offering is indeed exempt. If the promoter claims a security is not involved at all, find out why and contact the state securities agency and confirm whether it really is a security being offered.

2. The Salesperson. If it is a legitimate deal, the salesperson will not be reluctant to answer questions or provide written explanations to questions. Ask the name of the person offering you the security, where he is calling from and his background, particularly in other oil or gas ventures. Ask what commission and/or other compensation the salesperson will receive.

Contact your state securities agency to find out if the promoter or salesperson has been sanctioned for previous violations of securities laws.

3. The Company. Ask the names of the principals of the company or the general partners offering the security, their backgrounds and experience in the oil and gas industry, and how long they have been associated with the company. Find out the history of the company, its capitalization, assets and retained earnings. What contingent liabilities does it have from other ventures? Does it have sufficient funds to cover unexpected costs? Is the tax treatment of the investments, as claimed by the promoters, supported by the Internal Revenue Service?

Find out the company’s or general partners’ history in drilling operations. In particular, ask how long it has been in the oil and gas business, the number of wells drilled, the number of wells completed as producing wells, and whether the company retained its interests in the wells it drilled. Determine if conflicts of interest involving the promoter are disclosed. All the above information should be contained in a prospectus or “offering documents” that the promoter must furnish potential investors before they commit their funds.

4. The Investment. Make sure funds raised are kept in a separate escrow account until used and that they won’t be commingled with other funds. Also, be certain the funds will not be used for purposes other than those specified. Ask how much money is to be raised and the cost per fractional interest. Ask how much of the money will pay for advertising, salaries, sales commissions and any estimated profit to the company. Ask what type of conveyance document will be provided after any investment is made.

Assuming the well is completed, ask what the completion costs will be for each investor, including additional commissions to be paid (the purpose and amount), and whether investors may be obligated to pay in more money in the future. Ask what tax incentive might be available if a dry-hole is encountered and for intangible drilling costs. Finally, evaluate the risk involved in making the investment. Is the well to be drilled a wildcat (drilled in territory not known to be productive) or is the drilling to be done in an area of proven oil reserves?

5. The Lease. Secure a legal description of the property on which the program is to be drilled. How and when was it acquired? Is the principal selling the lease to the venture at the acquisition cost, and if not, how much profit is being made? Ask for a description of surrounding property, including local well completions and a geologist’s report on the area. You will want to know if the lease is already in default and whether there is any overriding royalty or landowner’s royalty or other leasehold burden being paid.

Ask for a disclosure of the person(s) selling the lease, the cost of the lease and any relationship between the lessor and the operator. Secure a statement of the depth of the well to be drilled and an indication of when drilling is to begin. Insist on seeing a copy of the operator’s contract with the promoter.

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ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE INVESTING

The checklist of questions to ask and information to obtain is long and it will take time and perhaps even money invested in outside consultation before you feel comfortable risking your money in the investment. It is always advisable to seek the advice of a neutral expert before committing your funds to any investment deal. Be sure to consider the following questions:

Who will be responsible for payment of taxes? Will they be paid out of the investor’s share?

What is the location of available pipelines, or what method will be used to transport and sell any production?

What is the name and address of the operator? What is her/his experience with ventures of this nature? What are the terms of the agreement with the operator, including the compensation terms?

How will the decision be made for completing the well or abandoning it? Who will make that decision? What is to become of funds received from the salvage value of equipment on the lease?

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WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP

The securities administrator in your state, province or territory is responsible for the protection of investors. If you have questions about an investment, contact your securities administrator. You can locate your securities administrator on NASAA’s website by clicking here. It is a good idea to contact your securities administrator before you invest.

Source:  North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA)

Oil and Gas Scams: Common Red Flags and Steps You Can Take

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Oil and Gas Scams: Common Red Flags and

Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourself

Henry . . . was a successful business man, married for 30 years, raised a family and had a good life . . . after his wife’s death, he received an [overnight] package of materials with all kinds of reports, and it was offering an oil and gas investment . . . And it was unsolicited. . .  he ignored it . . . But the next day, a salesman called him and used high-pressure sales tactics . . . to persuade him to invest $40,000.  And here are some examples of what was said to him on the phone:  “These gas wells are guaranteed to produce $6,800 a month in income;” “Some of the most successful investors in the country are interested in these wells;”  “There are only two units left in this project;” “We drilled a well in Texas that had these same early gas readings, and the investors all made millions.” . . . Over a three year-period, Henry was recontacted 12 times and invested, essentially, his life savings in 4 different gas wells, each time thinking that he had to invest or lose his original investment . . . He ultimately lost over $500,000 to this oil and gas scam investing in wells that always seemed promising at first  . . .

    – Description of an oil and gas scam victim at the SEC’s first-everSeniors Summit (July 2006)

If you think you’ve found the right oil or gas investment to “strike it rich,” consider this:  it may be a scam.  While some oil and gas investment opportunities are legitimate, many oil and gas ventures are frauds.  Many of these schemes start in so-called “boiler rooms,” where skilled telemarketers use high pressure sales tactics to convince you to hand over your hard-earned money.

Once they have your money, scam artists pay themselves first, often using funds to pay personal expenses.  In the end, only some of your money may be invested in an actual oil or natural gas well, or none at all.

Red Flag Warnings

If you are considering an oil and gas investment, look for these “red flag” warnings of fraud:

  • Sales Pitches Focused on Highly Publicized News. Scam artists read the headlines, too.  Often, they’ll use a highly publicized news item, like volatile gas prices, to lure potential investors and make their “opportunity” sound more legitimate.
  • “Can’t Miss” Wells. Every investment carries some degree of risk so you should be skeptical of any oil and gas investment opportunity pitched as completely safe.  Fraudsters often spend a lot of time trying to convince you that extremely high returns are “guaranteed” or “can’t miss.” Don’t believe it.
  • Unsolicited Materials. Be especially careful if you receive unsolicited materials about an investment.  Simply ignoring investment-related “junk” faxes, emails, voice mail messages, and regular mail may be your best strategy.  And don’t let a package full of colorful marketing materials impress you, even if it’s sent by certified or overnight mail.  If you’re not going to research an opportunity fully, do yourself a favor and put any unsolicited materials in the recycle bin immediately.  If someone calls to follow up regarding the materials, tell him or her “thanks, but no thanks” and hang up.  [Hanging up is critical because scam artists often use scripted sale pitches to keep you on the phone.]
  • Limited Opportunities. Scam artists often try to give you the impression that the “ opportunity” they are promoting is scarce, hoping you will hand over your money hastily before doing any due diligence.  Resist the pressure to invest quickly, and take the time you need to investigate before sending money.
  • High Rates of Return. Compare promised yields with current returns on well-known stock indexes. Any investment opportunity that claims you’ll get substantially more could be highly risky. And that means you might lose money.
  • Tips or Secrets. A promoter may discourage you from talking about the opportunity with someone you trust, like a loved one, attorney or financial professional.  If that happens, stop listening, and leave or hang up.  Then, be sure to contact us.

Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourself

Here are some steps you can take to avoid being scammed:

  • Ask questions and check out the answers. Fraudsters rely on the sad truth that many people simply don’t bother to investigate before they invest. It’s not enough to ask a promoter for more information or for references – fraudsters have no incentive to set you straight. Savvy investors take the time to do their own independent research.
  • Contact state oil and gas regulatory agencies. You may be able to verify information provided in offering materials by contacting the oil and gas regulatory agency in which the wells are allegedly being drilled.  For example, these agencies generally have information about a company’s drilling history that could confirm claims of prior success.

Investor Tidbit:
You might be surprised to learn that the Railroad Commission of Texasoversees the Texas oil and gas industry.  Unfortunately, state oil and gas regulatory agencies don’t have uniform names. If you’re having trouble finding the agency that regulates oil and gas in a particular state, enter the State’s name – followed by “oil and gas” – into your favorite Internet search engine. The appropriate agency should be listed near the top of your search results. If you are still having trouble, call us at (800) 732-0330.

  • Research the company before you invest. You can contact thesecretary of state where the company is incorporated to find out whether the company is a corporation in good standing.  You also will want to understand the company’s business and its products or services before investing.  Before buying any stock, check out the company’s financial statements on the SEC’s website, or contact yourstate securities regulator. All but the smallest public companies have to file financial statements with us. If the company doesn’t file with us, you’ll have to do a great deal of work on your own to make sure the company is legitimate and the investment appropriate for you. That’s because the lack of reliable, readily available information about company finances can open the door to fraud.  Remember that unsolicited materials should never be used as the sole basis for an investment decision.
  • Know the salesperson. Spend some time checking out the person touting the investment before you invest – even if you already know the person socially. Always find out whether the securities salespeople who contact you are licensed to sell securities in your state and whether they or their firms have had run-ins with regulators or other investors. You can check out the disciplinary history of brokers andadvisers quickly – and for free – using the SEC’s and FINRA’s online databases. Your state securities regulator may have additional information.

If you encounter a problem with an oil and gas investment, you can send us your complaint using our online complaint form atwww.sec.gov/complaint.shtml.  You can also reach us by regular mail at:

Securities and Exchange Commission
Office of Investor Education and Advocacy
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549-0213

* * *

Remember – an educated investor is our best defense against fraud! For more information on how to invest wisely and avoid fraud, please visit theInvestor Information section of our website.

http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/oilgasscams.htm

Ivvan Radithyawan – Creditcard Fraud

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We are scammed by a guy called Ivvan Radithyawan who steals other’s credit card and disappeared after received our 5 orders total $ 531.

any body who knows this scammer please contact me and we will reward you some money if we make this guy to pay the orders.

Name: Ivvan Radithyawan — a scammer who steals other’s credit card to make oversea purchase.
Country: United States 
State: CA 
City: Los Angeles 
Address: 3630 S. Sepulveda Blvd #127 Los Angeles, CA 90034 
Post code: 90034 
Phone: 31-382-4942 
Email: ivvanradit@gmail.com

5th dispute for payment 124546687169864758 1924LY20090620105946 USD 100.18 
4th dispute for payment 124242789618622344 2009515175055 USD 130 
3rd dispute for payment 124327365826674422 1924LY20090526014717 USD 138 
2nd dispute for payment 124314384580540377 1924LY20090524134208 USD 48 
1st dispute for payment 124533537135481867 1924LY20090618222612 USD 115.54

starletta dupois is a scammer, who steals other’s credit card, this person cheat us of USD $ 290.
this scammer’s email: starlettadupois@yahoo.com
naomi8732@yahoo.com

Name: starletta dupois 
Country: united states 
State: georgia 
City: atlanta 
Address: 3152 mission ridge lane 
Post code: 30339 
Phone: 323-291-8061

Source: ScamVictims United