The majority of Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE), or "spam" is sent by a relatively
small group of dedicated professional spammers. The Register of Known Spam Operations
(ROKSO) indicates that 80% of all spam comes from just 200 known spam operations.
This data is in line with research completed by CipherTrust research scientists,
which indicates that most spam originates from a relatively small group of tightly
integrated spam networks.
While we're all very familiar with the spam messages we receive each day, it
is interesting to take a look at who these spammers are - to put a "face" to the
problem, as it were. Following are four of the most notorious and prolific spammers
in the world.
Alan Ralsky
Mr. Ralsky is currently one of the most egregious spam senders in the world. His
organization, based in Michigan since 1997, uses Chinese, European and domestic
US-based servers to host and send spam to millions of email boxes daily. But that's
not enough for Ralsky. Not only does he operate as a spammer, but also as a host
to other spammers.
In 2002, Verizon sued Mr. Ralsky for causing Verizon's network to freeze twice
in 2000. The lawsuit originally sought $37 million, but was settled out of court
for an undisclosed amount. Ralsky is no longer allowed to send email over Verizon's
networks, but he admits no wrongdoing in the case, and has vowed to continue sending
bulk email.
Mr. Ralsky was convicted in 1994 for falsifying documents to defraud two banks
in Michigan and Ohio and was fined $74,000. In an unrelated case in 1992, Ralsky
was sentenced to 50 days in jail and ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution for
failing to deliver a contract involving unregistered securities.
While Mr. Ralsky sends millions of unsolicited email messages selling everything
from diet pills to online gambling, he claims that his business is legitimate and
that his emails are not spam. He also insists that he does not sell pornography.
We're sure he's an absolutely charming fellow.
Scott Richter
Scott Richter's Denver-based company, OptinRealBig, is responsible for sending out
billions of spam emails. He is one of the most outspoken and notorious spammers
in business today. Whereas most spammers attempt to keep a low profile, often denying
any involvement in spam, Richter seems to enjoy the spotlight. In fact, Richter
even attempted to start up a "Spam King" clothing line before Hormel (the company
responsible for bringing delicious canned Spam to dining rooms around the world)
put an end to his trademark-infringing idea.
Richter and his partners were named in a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney
General and Microsoft. That suit, filed in 2003, sought millions of dollars in punitive
damages, but was settled out of court in mid-2004 with a paltry fine of $50,000.
Richter regards his legal entanglements as excellent advertising for his company
which, he claims, gains value each time he is sued.
Andrew Westmoreland
An apparent accomplice of Scott Richter, Westmoreland's Texas-based company,
Internet Access Group Inc., sends millions of spam messages pushing everything from
gas to online diploma mills to auto loans and mortgages. His business also operates
under the names Brilliant Marketing, Aphrodite Marketing, OptiGate Networks and
Players Exchange Club.
Robert Soloway
Robert Soloway's Oregon-based company, Newport Internet Marketing Corporation,
has sent millions of spam emails and has been the subject of numerous complaints
and lawsuits by class action groups and Microsoft.
Soloway's spam messages often contain get-rich-quick schemes selling (what else?)
spam software and "fresh" email addresses. Yes, that's right folks; you too can
send spam to 15 million recipients for just $295. At least that's what the ad says,
but would you want to give your credit card number to someone like this?
Slam the Door on Spam
We've presented you with just a small sampling of the questionable characters
who insist on clogging your inbox with junk email. While these may be some of the
most egregious offenders, there are plenty more waiting in the wings who would like
nothing more than to be considered equally offensive. As these new spammers rise
through the ranks, we'll keep you posted on who they are, and what kind of shady
business they're up to.
