View source for AA419 Tools

'''AA419 Tools'''

== Send Abuse Complaints to Hosters ==
This is the bread and butter of the artists' work -- '''writing abuse complaints'''.  We have a better than 90% success rate with just a well-written letter to 

Web hosting companies didn't care much about individual complaints about fake web sites in the past - So let's send them many complaints on one day!

'''Please note that the abuse desks might not even know that their company is hosting Web sites of criminals.''' Always ask them ''in a friendly manner'' to delete the offending web sites!

You could either use our pre-written complaint letters, or compose your own. A copy of fake bank abuse complaints should go to [mailto:fakebanks@aa419org].   This will count how many people have sent complaints.  (This puts extra pressure on service providers, as they know they can't deny receiving thousands of e-mails.)

'''Please use [[Sample complaint letters|our sample emails]].'''

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== Bandwidth Attack ==

The 419 Flash Mob is an organized bandwidth attack against the web sites of these criminals. Today people from around the world will download all images from these fake sites '''again and again'''. It's a mass visit to their web sites.

'''Either they will reach their bandwidth limit soon, or the admins will notice the traffic and close the offending web sites.'''

The Flash Mob bandwidth tools below will do all the work for you!  Just choose one: you can minimize the window and let it run all day long.  The whole time these run on your machine, you are stealing bandwidth from the lads. ''Cool!''

'''Take screenshots!'''

== Muguito - [http://muguito.aa419.org/ Download Now!] ==
Muguito (a working name for the time being) is a reimplementation of our Mugu Marauder in Java.  Java Technology ensures that this new version is OS-independent - whether you prefer Window, Unix/Linux or Mac, you can run Muguito.

Please note that Muguito is in a test phase during the [[Flash_Mob_14|Flash Mob 14]] (February 13 and 14, 2006).  By far not all features of a future full version have been implemented yet.

'''Recommended for users at any connection speed!'''

'''Features:'''
* '''Complete control over how much of your bandwidth you use.''' Can be paused.
* Uses less of your resources (CPU/Memory).
* Shows individual and global statistics.
* Reports progress back to aa419.org so we can see the progress!
* Detects when an image can't be reloaded any more and disables it: No more hammering of dead servers.

'''Known Bugs:'''
* Early beta, very rudimentally tested at the moment.  Bugs and problems can be reported [http://forum.aa419.org/viewforum.php?f=4 in our forum].

== The Lad Vampire - [http://aa419.org/vampire/ladvampire.php Run Now!] ==
This page images from targeted fake banks again and again and again and again... This page is online 24 / 7 and it is recomended by the artists against 419!
'''Recommended for users on a slow connection!'''
'''Features:'''
* See all those lovely graphics that lad banks love to use. (It's art!)
* No need to disable your browser cache.
* Uses less of your resources (CPU/Memory).
* Gives all stats freaks something to look at (Wow, 419 images already!)
* Can be used as a download speed indicator.
* Detects when an image can't be reloaded any more and disables it: No more hammering of dead servers.
* Can be paused for those moments when you'd rather surf the net.
* '''New recently:''' Track stats between sessions and reboots with cookies.
* '''New recently:''' See how many other people are running the Vampire with you.
'''Known Bugs:'''
* Requires JavaScript

== The Mugu Marauder - Discontinued ==
There are a few members who are still using MM. We strongly recommend moving to Muguito, however MM will be available for the time being.  We are unable to provide technical support for the application and eventually it will be completely discontinued.
This Windows taskbar application loads images from the fake bank sites again and again. [http://www.aa419.org/mm/download.php Download] the application.

'''Features:'''
* '''Complete control over how much of your bandwidth you use.''' Can be paused.
* Uses less of your resources (CPU/Memory).
* Shows individual and global statistics.
* Reports progress back to aa419.org so we can see the progress!
* Detects when an image can't be reloaded any more and disables it: No more hammering of dead servers.

'''Known Bugs:'''
* Windows only.
* Server side statistics error for individual accounts.


== [http://www.aa419.org/tools/scripts.php Bandwidth Scripts] - some like it hot! ==
While ''artists against 419'' believe in the power of simple HTML, there are some artists out there, who think they could steal more bandwidth with scripts. There are several [[script solutions]] available for users of a '''Linux/unix''' computer and '''MacOS'''

== Refi Retaliator II - Fake Bank Form Filler ==
One of our members, [http://forum.aa419.org/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=390 SpamSlayer], the actual originator of the [http://www.aa419.org/vampire/ladvampire.php Lad Vampire] has recently came up with the Refi Retaliator II, a Fake Bank Form Filler, also discussed in our [http://forum.aa419.org/viewtopic.php?p=13576#13576 forum], that is designed to generate information indistinguishable from legitimate leads as for polluting spammers' lead databases.

SpamSlayer is writing about his tool:

:''The information it generates is indistinguishable from a legitimate lead unless the scammer actually calls the fake telephone number provided, or tries to email the fake email address provided... if you pollute a scammer's leads database with realistic looking leads, they'll quickly discover that culling the legitimate leads from the bogus ones is an exercise in futility. They're then forced to dump ALL the leads, bogus and legitimate.

:''Lead validation can be a very time-consuming task.

:''We've used it against HGH spammers and penis pill spammers.

How this tool can be used against 419 fake banks is currently being discussed.  For all what we know, it has made the life of a major scammer, Alex Polyakov so miserable, that he actually called SpamSlayer on phone as to beg him to stop using this tool against him.  We're providing a link to the phone call recording for a cheer-up: [http://www.dslreports.com/r0/download/954373~6361991d4b83a5277bbb8dee045088bd/alex%20Polyakov17Jan06%200340.zip Audio recording of the phone call Alex Polyakov-SpamSlayer]

As the phone call is rather noisy and indistinct for most of Polyakov's part, we've started [[Alex Polyakov is calling SpamSlayer|a page dedicated to the transcript]] of it.  Please join in and help us documenting what Polyakov, this disgrace to humanity was yammering for some 15 minutes!

== Report the criminals to the legal authorities! ==

'''If you witness a crime, it is your civic duty to report the crime to the  police.''' Let's help them to put the scammers behind bars!

Ask them to urge the web hosting companies who continue to allow these scammers to work taking money from innocent people to shut down all fake web sites!
Tell them about the [http://www.aa419.org/fake-banks/ Database of 419 fake bank and lottery web sites].

'''Authorities in the United Kingdom'''

If you are concerned that reporting a crime to the police might put yourself in danger or in any risk, you can '''call Crimestoppers on (+44) 0800 555 111'''. Your call is free from anywhere in the U.K.! You will not be asked your name, and you can leave your information anonymously. You can e-mail Crimestoppers at [mailto:cst@crimestoppers-uk.org cst@crimestoppers-uk.org] but remember -- your e-mail will not be anonymous.

[http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/ <img src="http://www.aa419.org/flashmobs/images/crimestp.gif" border="0" height="105" width="510">]

Crimestoppers is the independent charity operating the freephone 0800 555 111 helping to prevent and solve crimes. The scheme allows you to give information about crimes that affect you and your local community. Because they are anonymous, meaning they don't want your name or address, no one will ever know you made the call. Your calls are not traced and you will never have to give a statement or go to court.

'''You could also contact the Metropolitan Police Fraud Squad:'''
Specialist Crime OCU Fraud Squad

Web site: [http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert www.met.police.uk/fraudalert]
e-mail: [mailto:fraud.alert@met.police.uk fraud.alert@met.police.uk]

If you don't live in London you should contact [http://www.online.police.uk/english/link.asp?url=www.police.uk your local police station].

'''Special Instructions for US Citizens: '''If you are in the United Kingdom you could also contact the '''US Secret Service''', US Embassy, London on '''(+44) 020 7408 8091'''.

== How to report them to the US authorities ==
You can contact the FBI to file a report through the INTERNET FRAUD COMPLAINT CENTER at Web site [http://www.ifccfbi.gov/ www.ifccfbi.gov].

Another place to contact is the NATIONAL FRAUD INFORMATION CENTER at +1-800-876-7060. Another that you can also contact is the US SECRET SERVICE FRAUD HOTLINE at +1-202-406-5572 or email [mailto:419.fcd@usss.treas.gov 419.fcd@usss.treas.gov]... but you may be better off calling the number than emailing them if you want a response. Read: [http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Victims/reporting.htm?t=617 How to report being scammed or an attempt to being scammed].

== How to report them to the Dutch authorities ==
You could go to [http://www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl//Article.aspx?id=203 www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl]. This site works as a portal to all the various Dutch police departments. At the top you can see a link to the English version of the site. If you phone them, '''your anonymity is guaranteed!'''

'''Phone numbers:'''<br>
from the NL: '''800 7000 (free call)'''<br>
other countries: +31 800 7000 ('''not''' free!)

You could also send an email to: [mailto:mail@meldmisdaad.nl mail@meldmisdaad.nl]

== How to report them to the authorities in Spain ==

You could contact the Central Bank of Spain, the [http://www.bde.es/ Banco de Espa&ntilde;a] via email =&gt; [mailto:registros.oficiales@bde.es registros.oficiales@bde.es]<br>

You may also use the following addresses of the Spanish police: [mailto:sugerencias@guardiacivil.org sugerencias@guardiacivil.org] and [mailto:delitos.tecnologicos@policia.es delitos.tecnologicos@policia.es]

== How to report them to the authorities in Canada ==

You could contact the [http://www.phonebusters.com/english/reportit.html www.phonebusters.com]! Please send them an email to [mailto:info@phonebusters.com info@phonebusters.com]! Or you may reach them here:
* '''Toll Free phone line''': +1-888-495-8501
* '''Toll Free Fax''': +1-888-654-9426
* Fax: (705) 494-4008

== How to report them to the authorities in South Africa ==

Visit [http://www.419legal.org/ 419legal.org] and let them know about scammers in South Africa!

== How to report them to the authorities in Switzerland ==
Fill out a report online for the Swiss Federal Police [http://www.cybercrime.admin.ch/cgi-bin/start_e.pl Coordination Unit for Cybercrime Control].

== Shut down their email addresses ==
What can you do to make life difficult for the criminals? It would be good to get their e-mail accounts suspended. Their web masters used the following email addresses to register their web sites and to "catch" new victims. Ask their email providers to immediately suspend the abuser's email accounts!
* '''Send complaints to [mailto:abuse@yahoo.com abuse@yahoo.com]'''
* '''Send complaints to [mailto:abuse@msn.com abuse@msn.com]'''
* '''Send complaints to [mailto:abuse@netscape.net abuse@netscape.net]'''

== What else is possible? ==

* Our targets usually have used bogus data to register their Web sites: Write a [http://wdprs.internic.net/ Whois Data Problem Report] to Internic.  (This usually takes a long time, but can be effective against frequent "zombie" banks!)
* Send the phone and fax numbers of fake banks to your favorite 419 scammer and ask ''him'' to call ''you''.
* Send a text message or SMS to the mobile phones #'s, which you find on fake bank sites.
* The scammers need all kind of ''enlargement'', interesting newsletters -- '''in other words, SPAM THEIR EMAIL ACCOUNTS TO DEATH.'''