'Spam King' indicted in Las Vegas

Sanford Wallace, better known as the "Spam King," has been indicted in Las Vegas.

The 40-year-old is accused of sending 27 million spam messages to millions of Facebook users.

From November 2008 to March 2009, Wallace allegedly compromised 500,000 Facebook accounts after sending millions of pieces of spam through the company's servers, says USAT.

In March 2009, Wallace was banned from ever using Facebook, but the indictment claims the "Spam King" started using the site again in April.

Wallace has been sued by Concentric Network, AOL, CompuServe, MySpace and the Federal Trade Commission over spamming and phishing.

The Spam King is facing up to 16 years in jail if convicted on all counts of electronic mail fraud, intentional damage to a protected computer and criminal contempt.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 6 Aug 2011 21:23

thepohl

Give this loser the death penalty, put him outa his misery

Concordia res parvae crescent

6.8.2011 21:42 #1

hikaricor

derp!

6.8.2011 21:46 #2

Ryoohki

these are the types of criminals our tax dollars are paying to go after instead of rapists and murderers. they get longer prison sentences too apparently.

6.8.2011 22:20 #3

Jeffrey_P

"these are the types of criminals our tax dollars are paying to go after instead of rapists and murderers. they get longer prison sentences too apparently."

Are you his brother or partner in crime?
I hope he gets at least 20 years.

...And.. yes, he is a criminal that has been convicted before. This is our tax dollars at work.
Why do you have a problem with that?
Jeff

6.8.2011 22:29 #4

Ryoohki

Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
...And.. yes, he is a criminal that has been convicted before. This is our tax dollars at work.
Why do you have a problem with that?
Jeff He sent out spam e-mails. An annoyance to all, yes. Worth more prison time than some drunk bastard who ran over somebody's kid or raped someone, no. The point is that people who are convicted of these types of crimes get much harsher penalties than people who have committed violent crimes. That's not how the system should work. It is a waste of our tax dollars.

I would seriously like to know how he compromised someone's facebook account. I am pretty sure that 99.9% of people had their settings set to show everybody their e-mail address either to friends or friends of friends. As you know it is is pretty simple to get someone to friend you, even back then and even if you don't actually know them. Because this guy decided to take advantage of that to spam them doesn't warrant such a stiff punishment. He should be able to get away with a fine (a stiff fine, yes). I read in the news all the time about drunk drivers who actually killed someone getting off with a fine and probation and this guy gets to rot in prison because he sent out some e-mails. I hate spammers but the punishment doesn't fit the crime.

7.8.2011 09:03 #5

dab0ne

Originally posted by Ryoohki: Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
...And.. yes, he is a criminal that has been convicted before. This is our tax dollars at work.
Why do you have a problem with that?
Jeff He sent out spam e-mails. An annoyance to all, yes. Worth more prison time than some drunk bastard who ran over somebody's kid or raped someone, no. The point is that people who are convicted of these types of crimes get much harsher penalties than people who have committed violent crimes. That's not how the system should work. It is a waste of our tax dollars.

I would seriously like to know how he compromised someone's facebook account. I am pretty sure that 99.9% of people had their settings set to show everybody their e-mail address either to friends or friends of friends. As you know it is is pretty simple to get someone to friend you, even back then and even if you don't actually know them. Because this guy decided to take advantage of that to spam them doesn't warrant such a stiff punishment. He should be able to get away with a fine (a stiff fine, yes). I read in the news all the time about drunk drivers who actually killed someone getting off with a fine and probation and this guy gets to rot in prison because he sent out some e-mails. I hate spammers but the punishment doesn't fit the crime. It might seem ludicrous but that is the way it works. If the person who raped someone or ran someone over directly affected "millions" then the penalty would be stiffer. It might not be right but it is what it is. The person who robs the gas station gets $5,000 and 10 years but the person who robs 4 banks gets $1.2 million and life in prison. I say lock him up and throw away the key. I have enough to worry about without some cocksucker messing with my virtual life too. This being said... I'm glad I don't have and never have had facebook ;)

7.8.2011 10:11 #6

Jeffrey_P

"He sent out spam e-mails. An annoyance to all, yes. Worth more prison time than some drunk bastard who ran over somebody's kid or raped someone, no. The point is that people who are convicted of these types of crimes get much harsher penalties than people who have committed violent crimes. That's not how the system should work. It is a waste of our tax dollars."

You are full of it. He will not receive anywhere near the jail time as people convicted the crimes you listed above. This is his second conviction. He didn't learn his lesson the first time. So yes, he will receive more jail time as a second offender. It is for the same crime.

I have zero sympathy for him.

Spam is more than annoyance. It is illegal and jams some peoples mailboxes full of BS.

Jeff

Cars, Guitars & Radiation.

7.8.2011 10:59 #7

bakedalex

in the jail cell:

1st guy: why are you guys here?
2nd guy: rape
3rd guy: murder
4th guy: Bank Robbery + murder
5th guy: rape
6th guy: murder + rape

7th guy: sending alot of emails to people.

lol, messed up legal system.

7.8.2011 11:10 #8

Jeffrey_P

Sorry, spamming is also a crime.
He most likely will get:
Raped and possibly murdered.

What is so hard to understand? Spamming is as illegal as any of the crimes listed above.

Nobody made that assclown spam people. He did it for profit.

Cars, Guitars & Radiation.

7.8.2011 11:41 #9

ffocus06

He looks retarded. Sorry if that offends anyone but it's the truth. I hope he goes to jail for a long time. I hate getting spam mail. There's also a new one out there where they are spamming your cell phone with stupid shit about jobs and blah blah blah. These people need to go away.

7.8.2011 13:09 #10

Jeffrey_P

Spammers do not care about peoples privacy.
There is already too much personal info about Joe sixpack on the WWW as it is.

Last thing needed is some jerkwad spamming people.

Jeff

Cars, Guitars & Radiation.

7.8.2011 14:12 #11

aldan

economic crimes are always going to sound tame compared to physical crimes against another person,but they are crimes nonetheless this asshat should get life but i dont make the laws and after reading some of the posts defending this crime im glad you dont either.

7.8.2011 15:45 #12

Jimathome

Wow I'm really surprised how pissed off Americans can get just over spam, one of you doesn't even have facebook and is suggesting the death penalty another says he looks retarded so deserves to be dead !
All I can say is I'm glad I don't live in your country "land of the free and home of the brave" not my words !
Sounds more like the land of the psychos to me !

7.8.2011 22:04 #13

Jeffrey_P

Due to current Murdoch circumstances you have no business commenting about the USA.
The UK has more snoop on the people cameras per square inch then any other country.

You pay taxes for an ancient monarchs which is full of inbred big eared ugly people.

Spam is the least of your worries.

Please never visit our country.

I cancelled my Facebook account over a year ago because of privacy issues. I used it mostly to share info and pictures with family and old friends I have not seen in years.

Thank you

Jeff

Cars, Guitars & Radiation.

7.8.2011 23:07 #14

patron

Originally posted by Jeffrey_P: Due to current Murdoch circumstances you have no business commenting about the USA.
The UK has more snoop on the people cameras per square inch then any other country.

You pay taxes for an ancient monarchs which is full of inbred big eared ugly people.

Spam is the least of your worries.

Please never visit our country.

I cancelled my Facebook account over a year ago because of privacy issues. I used it mostly to share info and pictures with family and old friends I have not seen in years.

Thank you

Jeff
I'm ashamed to be american right now. Thank god we live in a country where people like this fuck can afford to be more retarded than a bag of fucking rocks. Don't bother trying to pick this guy apart it'd be like arguing with a potato.

8.8.2011 02:21 #15

mike.m

Originally posted by bakedalex: in the jail cell:

1st guy: why are you guys here?
2nd guy: rape
3rd guy: murder
4th guy: Bank Robbery + murder
5th guy: rape
6th guy: murder + rape

7th guy: sending alot of emails to people.

lol, messed up legal system. Haha, yes I agree the justice system has always been ridiculous. So what if people get annoyed from emails. Are you guys actually saying that's worse than rape, murder, or theft? Cry me a river, if anyone has the right to complain it's the victims and families of real crimes. Now if those emails had stolen bank accounts, money, etc, then yes I can see this guy serving time. The majority of people who uses facebook are desperate for attention anyways so people should just shut it, what did you people expect when you're pretty much advertising yourself on the internet??

8.8.2011 02:31 #16

Jeffrey_P

Originally posted by patron: Originally posted by Jeffrey_P: Due to current Murdoch circumstances you have no business commenting about the USA.
The UK has more snoop on the people cameras per square inch then any other country.

You pay taxes for an ancient monarchs which is full of inbred big eared ugly people.

Spam is the least of your worries.

Please never visit our country.

I cancelled my Facebook account over a year ago because of privacy issues. I used it mostly to share info and pictures with family and old friends I have not seen in years.

Thank you

Jeff
I'm ashamed to be american right now. Thank god we live in a country where people like this fuck can afford to be more retarded than a bag of fucking rocks. Don't bother trying to pick this guy apart it'd be like arguing with a potato. Thank you genius.

So you are saying being spammed is a way of life here in the US?

You could always move to the UK and join your buddy numb nuts.

"The trouble with the Yanks is they're overpaid, oversexed and over here."

American is spelled with a capital A.

Your constructive criticism is muchly appreciated, F you very much..

Now go play with your iPhone.

Oooo, I'm in a great mood.

Jeff

Cars, Guitars & Radiation.

8.8.2011 04:56 #17

Jimathome

@Jeff, Get some professional help urgently !

8.8.2011 09:05 #18

Jeffrey_P

"@Jeff, Get some professional help urgently !"

You do the same okay?

How people can write Spammer King off like he is some hero is beyond me.
Robin Hood he isn't.
Criminal he is.
You don't have to read my posts if it upsets you so much newbie.

Of course our criminal justice system is FOOBAR for the most part. With this particular case, jail time is warranted. The ugly bitch has no business using a computer for his escapades Emailing for profit to private citizen's electronic mail boxes.

You just don't get it do you?

Have a nice day.

Jeff

Cars, Guitars & Radiation.

8.8.2011 09:19 #19

DXR88

i find it funny that its ok to call someones home 30 times a day, telling them they've won a free cruise...but god forbid we get that same message in are email....because lets face it emails, don't ring every time you get one and you can block the thing you don't wish to receive, try doing that with your telecom.

the punishment is simply to make an example out of him, fear mongering at its finest.

8.8.2011 11:06 #20

Jeffrey_P

He is the poster child for being made an example of.
Spam dude did it to himself.

Since I am on the do not call list, I do a little research, file a complaint with the FTC if need be then block the caller with call rejection. Works every time.

The telemarketers do get busted all the time.

Your point is?

8.8.2011 12:16 #21

hearme0

Originally posted by thepohl: Give this loser the death penalty, put him outa his misery Agreed! Send this child molesting-looking fat, greedy tard to the depths of Hell where only he will get burned.

8.8.2011 17:14 #22

buxtahuda

Originally posted by DXR88: i find it funny that its ok to call someones home 30 times a day, telling them they've won a free cruise...but god forbid we get that same message in are email....because lets face it emails, don't ring every time you get one and you can block the thing you don't wish to receive, try doing that with your telecom.

the punishment is simply to make an example out of him, fear mongering at its finest. Um, my phone goes off the hook with emails (and believe it or not, no, it's not a choice; if I don't get emails in real-time then I might as well work 9-5 for the rest of my life). And I don't even use my spam account on my phone; dear lord I'd be overrun if I did. Easy as all hell for me to block a number/telemarketer, but I can't get rid of the spam. Block one address and get assaulted by two more; try to unsubscribe (if offered) like a newb and your address is suddenly in the hands of like ten more.

My favorite solution so far is using Google's GMail which allows augmented versions of your address using periods. If ever I sign up for anything, I use a certain augmentation and just filter the messages to be blocked.

And on to the actual topic. I truly believe that yes, it is and should be illegal, yes, it should call for served time (though I really can't wish this on anyone in the US - our judicial/penitentiary systems are abominable considering our supposed status in the world), and yes, he should be fined and put on probation especially considering this is a repeat offense.

But no, he shouldn't get more than violent offenders; but neither should those involved in "victimless" crimes, most noticeably the trade of cannabis that nonsensically causes our prisons to fill.

But who am I to say, I'm only a citizen who pays all his taxes. Leave all the thinking to the crooked politicians and policemen and their pet judges.

My useless two cents on it.

~*Livin' Electronicallly*~

8.8.2011 17:31 #23

ThePastor

Apparently they want him in the UK so we should just send him there.
That would be bad enough!

People hate spammers. That hatred is expressed in this thread. Nothing more, nothing less.

Unfortunately for them, all Blu-ray protections have been broken and BD rips can be found around the Internet, usually before the retail even hits shelves.

8.8.2011 18:27 #24

Jeffrey_P

After we are done with him then send him to the UK.
Maybe they will graft Dumbo the Elephant ears on him.
Jeff

Cars, Guitars & Radiation.

8.8.2011 18:33 #25

aldan

are you all daft?let me put this simply.what he did was illegal by the laws of his country.he is not a hero.need more?

8.8.2011 23:41 #26

ddp

feed him spam 3 times a day til the day he dies.

8.8.2011 23:54 #27

aldan

spam spam spam and eggs.

9.8.2011 19:41 #28

bhetrick

Originally posted by Ryoohki: these are the types of criminals our tax dollars are paying to go after instead of rapists and murderers. they get longer prison sentences too apparently. It's incredible how some people make such ignorant comments.

Please post a link providing proof that other crime investigations were put on hold so the law enforcement could focus solely on taking down this, or any other, spammer.

12.8.2011 10:40 #29

Mez

Ryoohki you are confusing sentence time with time served. Rapists often get life and get out in 20 yrs for good behavior. If this guy gets 20 he will be out in 5.

The rapist only got caught screwing 1 victim if he only got 1 life sentence. If he got caught for 2 he will get 2 life sentences and will probably never get out or will be released as an old man. This guy sent over 20 million spams he only got sentenced less than 2 seconds per spam. That is real light.

12.8.2011 12:07 #30

drhanaba

12.8.2011 12:14 #31

bogwart16

Originally posted by Jeffrey_P: Due to current Murdoch circumstances you have no business commenting about the USA.
Please never visit our country]
Jeff You mean Murdoch the American citizen? That Murdoch?

As for visiting your country we have enough zoos of our own, thanks, we don't need to pay to visit yours.

This is not an American forum even if the subject is an American. It is not your prerogative to tell people from other countries what they may and may not post, any more than it is your right to insult institutions of which you have no understanding or knowledge.

I am sure I am not alone in hoping that you stick to the topic and stop this malignant gibbering. Thank you.

12.8.2011 17:54 #32

ddp

Murdoch is australian not american nor british.

12.8.2011 21:28 #33

bogwart16

He was born in Australia and took US citizenship in 1985 to enable him to purchase American cable stations, and thereby lost his Australian citizenship. It is therefore completely accurate to refer to him as American rather than Australian or British.

OK?

12.8.2011 21:47 #34

buxtahuda

I bet wikipedia hit some kind of record on "Murdoch" searches the other day >.>

13.8.2011 08:32 #35

bogwart16

You're probably right. Some people still possess their own RAM though, securely stationed between their ears. I've been following the machinations of that reptile for years.

13.8.2011 08:41 #36

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