Spammer's Porsche Up For Grabs 232
gaurab writes "Anti-Spammers would love this. In this news piece, the BBC reports that AOL is putting up a Porsche it seized from a spammer last year in a sweepstakes. What next -- 'Spammer's House' in another sweepstakes? Is this the sign of things to come? From the story:
'Internet giant AOL has ratcheted up the war against unsolicited e-mail with a publicity-grabbing coup -- an online raffle of a spammer's seized Porsche. AOL won the car -- a $47,000 Boxster S -- as part of a court settlement against an unnamed e-mailer last year.'"
hmm (Score:4, Insightful)
Nice car, but....you're telling me the spammer made $1mm+ and all AOL got was a $47k Porsche?
Well, I suppose the publicity might work, like how the RIAA got many people to think that copyright violations = stealing.
Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:hmm (Score:3, Insightful)
cute, but sadly 8 characters--won't fit on most US license plates.
Perhaps INBOXSR. Not as cool, but 7.
Hey, I smell a good product name for a spam killer. Inboxster. Like Aimster, except the slutty girl goes to the spam file. not a single google result, either [google.com].
Re:Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:4, Insightful)
I do agree though that this leads to some wierd (and undeserved) results.
Elgon
Wait... (Score:5, Insightful)
I remember using AOL in years past and they would throw crap at you telling you to BUY THIS and THIS every time you logged into an AOL account.
-Grump
It should be disclosed to the public... (Score:5, Insightful)
I would like to see the people that waste our time get what's due to them - spending every hour of my wasted time in court and in jail!
aol hates spam?! (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:aol hates spam?! (Score:2, Insightful)
When AOL doesn't have to pay millions of dollars in manufacturing, packaging, and postage most of which never pays off.
Re:hmm (Score:2, Insightful)
No. That's why the article refers to the Porsche as part of the settlement. That implies that AOL received more than just the Porsche from the spammer.
Re:hmm (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:4, Insightful)
low life scum always have more stuff. Look at the ex -executive branch of Enron, the CEO of SCO, Hitler, Stalin, Amelia Marcos, the list goes on.
Why do you think the Mafia are in business? because Crime is profitable... so the more scummy you are the more money you get.
until there is backlash.
Why the Porsche? (Score:5, Insightful)
Mr Boe said the Porsche was seized mainly for its symbolic value, as the obvious fruit of an illegal trade.
Makes sense, and it's a great idea. Getting hundreds of thousands of dollars does not make an attention getting headline, and not have made slashdot. Taking his Porsche, now that's a headline grabber.
AOL is known for being marketing savy, and that's what this is about.
-Pete
wrong message (Score:5, Insightful)
So what AOL is telling people is... Spammers have Porsches! Spamming => money!
My next question as a newbie would be: so how do I become a spammer? Where do I apply & when can I start?
The spammer's name won't be confidential... (Score:5, Insightful)
Meh (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Does it come with a CD Multiplayer? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Can't just join? (Score:2, Insightful)
There is no law that says a organization can't hold sweepstakes for its own members.
Re:Screw the Car... (Score:3, Insightful)
mark my words (Score:5, Insightful)
(Well, at least, if more actors are caught "lending" their preview copies of movies, we could end up with some pretty nice lottery items.)
Okay. (Score:2, Insightful)
Except Apple Inc. is publicly traded, and has to disclose such things by law. A private company does not.
So.. where then do we draw the line between spammers and every other privately run business out there? Require complete financial transparency for everyone? Your salary at the quickie-mart? Your full income as a private consultant?
etc.
Spammer's House (Score:3, Insightful)
Most spammers hide in Florida. Why Florida? Because in Florida you cannot take someone's house like you can take thier Porche or pet monkey or whatever. So, don't expect to see a house on the block.
Re:Does it come with a CD Multiplayer? (Score:3, Insightful)
Source?
The USPS is not federally funded; it has a federally granted monopoly, yes, but it operates from it's own revenues. Taxpayer dollars are not handed over to the USPS. So no, snail mail doesn't cost me a thing unless I'm the one mailing it.