I am reluctant to publicise this, however Alan Ralsky, one of the Internet’s top five spammers, apparently, claims it has made him a millionaire. Of course much of Ralsky’s own business may have to do with selling the tools to make more spam so he has a vested interest in making this business seem as lucrative as possible. Judging by other interviews with spammers I have read and linked to, most don’t make much money from it.
Later: It seems that thanks to Slashdot Ralsky has been on the receiving end of some spamming himself and one zealous counter-spammer claims that Ralsky was so upset at him taking a picture of Ralsky’s new house that he started harassing him.credit merchant accepting account card onlineestate investors accredited realinstitution accreditedevaluation accreditationnursing online accredited programsinternet cards accept credit viacredit bad http 100 remortgagecredit aaa service Map
You should also read the story Mike Wendland posted a few weeks later, at http://www.freep.com/money/tech/mwend6_20021206.htm — it seems that after that first story was published, the spammer began receiving hundreds of unwanted ads, catalogs, and print brochures at his new home. Seems he couldn’t take receiving all that unwanted mail, so he’s filed a lawsuit.
Comment by Tom Mighell — 3 January 2003 @ 11:52 am