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.'"
Does it come with a CD Multiplayer? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Does it come with a CD Multiplayer? (Score:4, Funny)
No.... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Does it come with a CD Multiplayer? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Does it come with a CD Multiplayer? (Score:3, Funny)
Particle Man, Particle Man
Doing the things a particle can,
20" INCH COCK AND FREE WHORES IN JAPAN!,
Particle Man.
Is he a dot or is he a speck,
He signs all his emails, 'I'LL GET YOU WET'
Or does the water get him instead,
Nobody knows, Particle Man.
Triangle Man, Triangle Man
Triangle man hates Particle man,
They have a lawsuit, Triangle wins,
Triangle Man.
Re:Does it come with a CD Multiplayer? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Does it come with a CD Multiplayer? (Score:3, Interesting)
AOL spams snail mail at their own cost. Spammers spam e-mail at the cost of those who operate the mail servers.
You pay. Snail mail is subsidized by the government. Heavily. If people knew what it actually cost to mail a letter, they'd have a fit. Bulk mail actually costs less (because it's bulk) even though "bulk" mail is mostly UCS. So in fact, YOU are paying more for it
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.
Re:Does it come with a CD Multiplayer? (Score:3, Interesting)
I just lost an important email to spam (saw it in with the junk email *just* as I deleted it all). I have thus been taking it out on the next few spammers.
I sure wish someone would give us a free car for hunting down these scumbags
I doubt this will be very common, though. The last spammer I heard about was living in a double-wide trailer in Florida. I'm not sure they'd care to auction that
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.)
Re:mark my words (Score:4, Funny)
The real pirates (selling illegal copies) are also making money, but that's not who the RIAA/MPAA is chasing. So how exciting is it going to be when they raffle off a "1987 Toyota with only 3 rust spots and 120k miles"?
Re:mark my words (Score:3, Interesting)
"The real pirates (selling illegal copies) are also making money, but that's not who the RIAA/MPAA is chasing."
The RIAA has always been chasing the big guys of the pirating world -- the ones who run the duplicating houses and sell their wares in Times Square -- and they still do. However, many people incorrectly assume that their recent suits against file sharers come at the exclusion of all other activities. This is probably because we don't read about those sorts of things on Slashdot. However, it
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.
Re:hmm (Score:5, Funny)
It just works on so many levels.
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:hmm (Score:2, Informative)
Re:hmm (Score:3, Informative)
INBOXSTR works here. Don't know if those rules are nationalized or state by state though.
Re:hmm (Score:3, Informative)
GTRacer
- Was going with QKSILVR or QUICKAG for my spiffy 280ZX...
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:hmm (Score:2)
What I'd like to see is the sale of tickets to take out their spam-induced frustrations on the car. I'd pay $5 or $10 to beat upon the spammer's ill-gotten gains with a baseball bat, or to help fill the passenger compartment with a certain alleged meat product from a can.
The festivities could culminate with a bang, say like exploding the spamobile in an expression of what most people would love to do
Number 2 (Score:3, Funny)
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:3, Interesting)
the amount of money spammers claim to earn in interviews, when saying something along the lines of 'antis are just jealous'
with
the amount of money spammers claim to earn in their filings with the IRS
It could be very informative.
Re:hmm (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:hmm (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:hmm (Score:2)
Re:hmm (Score:2, Informative)
What about the registration plate (Score:5, Funny)
Re:What about the registration plate (Score:2)
GROWBIG (Score:3, Funny)
Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:4, Insightful)
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
Re:Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:3, Interesting)
The examples I remember being used was the industrial production process. Unmined iron ore is worth less than mined ore, steel is worth more than ore, parts made from steel are worth more than steel, assembled goods are worth more than parts. At each stage of the production process it is the labor of the workers that adds value.
I
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.
Re:Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:5, Funny)
Hitler really doesn't deserve being listed next to McBride. Don't be such a troll.
Re:Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:2)
Re:Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:3, Funny)
(Om Mani Padme.... 20 seconds! SUBMIT!)
Re:Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Funny, but it makes an interesting point (Score:2)
Hey that was mine! (Score:5, Interesting)
Want to own seized property at half the cost? Want to buy a house for a fraction of the mortgage?
http://www.hillnews.com/news/043003/ss_auctions
Bah. Hey AOL, you REALLY want to help rid the world of spammers? ANSWER OUR EMAILS OF ABUSE.
Yo Grark
Better News: (Score:5, Funny)
Great! (Score:2)
Great! You might finally be able to get a pair. :-)
I can see it already in my inbox... (Score:5, Funny)
Can't just join? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Can't just join? (Score:3, Informative)
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:Can't just join? (Score:3, Interesting)
Given the popularity of lotteries in this country (US), I would think you run a very profitiable business in this manner, keeping a small portion of the monthly dues and running the rest like a big lottery.
Re:Can't just join? (Score:2, Funny)
What world are you from?
Re:Can't just join? (Score:2)
Allow me to be the first to say ..... (Score:4, Funny)
Ha. Ha.
</Nelson>
Screw the Car... (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, pal, I got your "male enhancement" right HERE...
Re:Screw the Car... (Score:3, Insightful)
Funny... (Score:5, Funny)
Seems this spammer bought one of the most expensive penis enhancement products you can get..
Smash it up (Score:4, Interesting)
Sweepstaking it is sooo tame.
Porsche? (Score:3, Funny)
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
Re:Wait... (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Wait... (Score:2)
Re:Wait... (Score:4, Informative)
There is a hell of a difference between what you are describing and real spam. Real spam in involves privacy violations, harvesting of addresses, messages sent to randomly generated lists, etc.
Check out The Definition of Spam [spamhaus.org] (according to Spamhaus) and What is spam? [abuse.net] (according to spam.abuse.net). The term was originally coined to describe the crap spewed onto USENET. It most certainly was not intended to describe marketing spewed by your ISP, television, newspaper, or the ad boxes on /.
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!
Re:It should be disclosed to the public... (Score:2)
WOOHOOOO!!!!!
where do i sign up?
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.
Nice car, but... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Nice car, but... (Score:2)
SB
Promo for this competition... (Score:5, Funny)
youu may already have w0n b1g!!!
genuinne P0RSCHE!
click here to seee how to claim your pr1ze http://www.23fwdnvsoadaldsd%3ejdbf.com/
Love,
Sam
xcoiifidnbbibobdoodofn---
So next week (Score:5, Funny)
I want... (Score:2, Funny)
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
Re:Why the Porsche? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Why the Porsche? (Score:2)
I think it far more likely that the spammer was told to pay AOL so much in damages and, when h
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?
Re:wrong message (Score:3, Funny)
Re:wrong message (Score:2)
My next question as a newbie would be: so how do I become a spammer? Where do I apply & when can I start?
Are these the same people that think, "Hmmm, that bank robber just got busted, and HE had a million dollars! So how do I become a bank robber?"
Clearly both these people did something wrong, made money, and then got caught. I don't see this as a positive story for spammers.
Re:wrong message (Score:2)
This story seems to be the exception to the rule. Think back to just about every mainstream spammer article that has been linked to Slashdot. Every one of them talks about the money and wealth the spammers accumulate (Ronnie Schelson's new Corvette, Scotty Richter's palacial home, etc). At least this shows the other side of the story: a spammer losing it all.
Does it come with a years supply of Viagra? (Score:3, Funny)
BTW, rumor has it that the GPS system auto-navigates to hot young sticky.......
I wouldn't want that porsche. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I wouldn't want that porsche. (Score:2)
Porsche (Score:5, Funny)
i'd rather buy... (Score:2, Funny)
Spammers (Score:4, Funny)
Symbolic Value (Score:4, Interesting)
No shit !
ALL Porsches have symbolic value - that goes deeper than the badge.
If you ever get the chance to own a Porsche, especially an older model, then do spend some time digging around under the surface and get your hands dirty. Every single component of the car has a wonderful consistent feel to the design of it. You can see that a strong single mind stamped its presence on each design decision, right down to the choice of nuts and bolts.
Every peice of a Porsche is brutally simple, with no concessions made for fashion or cost. Its just like a really good peice of software.
Problem is, the Boxster is a damn fine car, but is perhaps the first real Porsche to have made concessions towards fashion and cost. (The VW 924 does not count, since it was a never meant to be a Porsche).
If you win the Porsche sweepstakes, then have a bit of fun in the Boxster, but then sell it, and use the money to get 1973 Carrera 2.4, or build up an insane 2.7ltr 911 RS replica. Then again, its your car, your dream, dont let me force my dream down your throat.
Having said that - whoever wins the Porsche sweepstakes needs to remember 1 very important thing - it is pronounced 'Porrr-Sch-A' not 'Porsh'. Calling a Porsche a 'Porsh' is like calling Bill Gates the 'inventor of the internet.'
Re:Symbolic Value (Score:2, Informative)
It's a great car... excellent handling, great looks, and very reliable. Plus, it makes a great daily driver even in the crappy weather. I don't recommend you take a '73 Carrera out on salted, wintery roads.
You're right, the Boxster is a concession. Happily, it was something that I could afford. My non-S Boxster was bought new for about $45,000. For a Porsche, that's cheap.
Don't get me wrong - I'd love a '73 Carrera too. Just not as my daily driver. And since I have a b
Re:Symbolic Value (Score:2, Interesting)
There is a big difference between a "real" Porsche owner and the owner of a "real" Porsche.
The former can be found selling real-estate or insurance (or Spam), whilst the latter can be found under the car with a spanner, making minor suspension tweaks prior to taking a short trip to the supermarket to pickup some milk.
Down in my neck of the woods, the Cayenne is selling surprising well, but only amongst real estate agents, insurance salesmen, and peopl
The spammer's name won't be confidential... (Score:5, Insightful)
it's one of Dr Fatburn's pals (Score:3, Informative)
Definitely didn't belong to Moore. He's here in Maryland, and his front men got a bigger cut than he did (example: on each $29 bottle of "herbal viagra", Moore paid $18 commission to the spammer)
what they don't tell you (Score:2, Funny)
unidentified spammer gonna be identified (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:unidentified spammer gonna be identified (Score:2)
All we need now is the Spammer's address... (Score:3, Interesting)
Yes I know it'd probably be at least partially illegal, but it'd be great fun to watch his pop a vein. :)
Guess! (Score:2)
And of course, they're telling everyone about it by sending out mass e-mails.
RMN
~~~
Meh (Score:3, Insightful)
Never get rid of the smell (Score:2)
so does it come equiped with... (Score:5, Funny)
Just like old times. (Score:4, Interesting)
There are two important aspects to this action. First, AOL sending a clear warning to other spammers. "Stay off our network or your house may be next." Second, AOL is appeasing and entertaining its customers. "Be glad you're an AOL customer, because we're actually doing something about spam."
It's all deliciously medieval.
ewww (Score:2)
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.
how to enter the contest... (Score:3, Informative)