U.S. makes first arrest for spim

A U.S teenager has become the first person to be arrested on suspicion of sending unsolicited instant messages--or spim.

Anthony Greco, 18, was lured from New York to Los Angeles under the pretence of a business meeting. He was arrested upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport last Wednesday.

Greco allegedly sent 1.5 million messages advertising pornography and mortgages. According to reports, the recipients of the messages were all members of the MySpace.com online networking service.

In a further twist upon the scam, Greco had allegedly threatened to share his methods for spamming members of the group if MySpace.com didn't sign an exclusive marketing deal that would have legitimized the messages he was sending via the service.

Greco believed he was flying to Los Angeles to cement that agreement with MySpace President Tom Anderson.

MySpace.com launched IM for its members in December 2003. Reports claim Greco began spamming members using the service in autumn 2004.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hoffstadt confirmed the arrest was the first criminal case brought against an individual sending spam over IM. But he warned there may well be more to come.

"We're just beginning to get the tip of the iceberg. This could be a new wave as online communities start up," he said in a statement.

Experts have warned in recent years that spim will be the next area of development for those looking to further exploit access to users' desktops and bombard them with unwanted messages, but its growth has been slow.

The immediacy of instant messaging and its growing popularity with businesses and home users means spam via the medium could theoretically become even more obtrusive than email spam.

Will Sturgeon of Silicon.com reported from London.

[cashbo77]

You know what

I think SPAMMERS and SPIMMERS get what they deserve... they are no more than the next century snake oil salesman.

[Sir Geek]

Stilll

It should be the companys using SPAM/SPIM to sell their product that should be arrested/charged. This is like arresting the drug pusher but never going after the supplier.

You arrest one SPAMMER/SPIMMER and another one pops up.

...

Spimmers, that's funny.

[cashbo77]

You know what

I think SPAMMERS and SPIMMERS get what they deserve... they are no more than the next century snake oil salesman.

[Sir Geek]

Stilll

It should be the companys using SPAM/SPIM to sell their product that should be arrested/charged. This is like arresting the drug pusher but never going after the supplier.

You arrest one SPAMMER/SPIMMER and another one pops up.

...

Spimmers, that's funny.

Upset IM user

I am a user of not only Myspace.com but also AIM instant messenger and Yahoo messenger "Spim" is an on going problem with these programs. I hang out in chat rooms and talk to many people. I hate being bombarded by unwanted IM's. Thank the Gods that someone is going to start doing something about this.

[Luxornv]

I haven't had too big of a problem with any of these

I am on the same networks (Myspace, Y! and AIM) and I have never had a huge problem with SPIM. On Myspace, I got a few porno solicitations in my myspace email, but that's it. I have never gotten anything on AIM, and as far as it goes on Y!, its some a**hole who gets my sn from a messege borad that I'm on.

Upset IM user

I am a user of not only Myspace.com but also AIM instant messenger and Yahoo messenger "Spim" is an on going problem with these programs. I hang out in chat rooms and talk to many people. I hate being bombarded by unwanted IM's. Thank the Gods that someone is going to start doing something about this.

[Luxornv]

I haven't had too big of a problem with any of these

I am on the same networks (Myspace, Y! and AIM) and I have never had a huge problem with SPIM. On Myspace, I got a few porno solicitations in my myspace email, but that's it. I have never gotten anything on AIM, and as far as it goes on Y!, its some a**hole who gets my sn from a messege borad that I'm on.

SPAM A CRIME?

Spam Is Simply Advertisement. I can understand MySpace Deleting accounts for it. But, how can somone be arrested for advertisement? I mean jeez...
*Sends a bagillion Rubber Ducky Condom advertisements out*
~The Law
"Go To Jail,
Do Not Pass Go
Do Not Collect 200 Dollars"
How gay? Its true no one wants to be spammed but doesn't mean you go off lockin people up for it.

he is right

Yeah he is right we cant send them to jaill get the company because it just a job for them they get payed for what they get by the company..

and i think if people dont like spim.. theres always the "block" button..

i dont agree

you're saying that spam/spim is advertising. if you're to look at the right of this website, you'll see an advertisement that news.com have allowed to be placed on their website. that's legal advertising.
to send people spam/spim is basically like putting junk mail into their real life, home letter box, although theres a sign that clearly says "no junk mail please"

A general statement

I agree with you in general, but refering to this story...it is a unique case. This guy threatened MySpace.com. He put himself in a whole new boat of problems and opened up the floodgates for more lawsuits concerning SPAM/SPIM. I do agree, however, that the SPAMERS/SPIMERS should be punished/fined in the same way that telemarketers are punished when they call someone after it has been requested of them that you be taken off of their list. (i use myspace.com)

Are you stupid?

You know - it is really infuriating to see people that get upset when someone abuses something that was designed to be free and something that was for the betterment of society.

So this ASS SPIM's a million plus people. No big deal as far as you are concerned. But I don't want to read his ****. I will quit Myspace because I am getting this spam - so myspace starts to charge for their now FREE services. So BFD as far as you are concerned. Fine! Send me a friggin check to cover the cost of my cable modem and I will gladly read all the crap you want to send me. Until then - if I want to read it I will ask for it. Otherwise keep that **** to yourself or people that sign up for it. I don't want it. I didn't ask for it and based on those 2 FACTS it is SPAM - regardless of the method of transmission.

Geez

OK - I am off my soapbox!

Peace!

Me

spam.

do we want trash like that coming in our mail/IMs? i certainly hope not... its not advertisement when they come all the time, that's called abuse.

Well, partially insane....

I think the biggest reason the prosecution commenced for this was the reason that the alleged spammer threatened to share how he did it. Its not just that he invaded everyone's sanity but that he also became a little cocky about it.

acually

he sent pornographic images to 1.5 million and probably half that are minors(17 or below). Also they have been warned not to do it and with spam come viruses possibly crashing computers.

SPAM A CRIME?

Spam Is Simply Advertisement. I can understand MySpace Deleting accounts for it. But, how can somone be arrested for advertisement? I mean jeez...
*Sends a bagillion Rubber Ducky Condom advertisements out*
~The Law
"Go To Jail,
Do Not Pass Go
Do Not Collect 200 Dollars"
How gay? Its true no one wants to be spammed but doesn't mean you go off lockin people up for it.

he is right

Yeah he is right we cant send them to jaill get the company because it just a job for them they get payed for what they get by the company..

and i think if people dont like spim.. theres always the "block" button..

i dont agree

you're saying that spam/spim is advertising. if you're to look at the right of this website, you'll see an advertisement that news.com have allowed to be placed on their website. that's legal advertising.
to send people spam/spim is basically like putting junk mail into their real life, home letter box, although theres a sign that clearly says "no junk mail please"

A general statement

I agree with you in general, but refering to this story...it is a unique case. This guy threatened MySpace.com. He put himself in a whole new boat of problems and opened up the floodgates for more lawsuits concerning SPAM/SPIM. I do agree, however, that the SPAMERS/SPIMERS should be punished/fined in the same way that telemarketers are punished when they call someone after it has been requested of them that you be taken off of their list. (i use myspace.com)

Are you stupid?

You know - it is really infuriating to see people that get upset when someone abuses something that was designed to be free and something that was for the betterment of society.

So this ASS SPIM's a million plus people. No big deal as far as you are concerned. But I don't want to read his ****. I will quit Myspace because I am getting this spam - so myspace starts to charge for their now FREE services. So BFD as far as you are concerned. Fine! Send me a friggin check to cover the cost of my cable modem and I will gladly read all the crap you want to send me. Until then - if I want to read it I will ask for it. Otherwise keep that **** to yourself or people that sign up for it. I don't want it. I didn't ask for it and based on those 2 FACTS it is SPAM - regardless of the method of transmission.

Geez

OK - I am off my soapbox!

Peace!

Me

spam.

do we want trash like that coming in our mail/IMs? i certainly hope not... its not advertisement when they come all the time, that's called abuse.

Well, partially insane....

I think the biggest reason the prosecution commenced for this was the reason that the alleged spammer threatened to share how he did it. Its not just that he invaded everyone's sanity but that he also became a little cocky about it.

acually

he sent pornographic images to 1.5 million and probably half that are minors(17 or below). Also they have been warned not to do it and with spam come viruses possibly crashing computers.

What the fuck!

How the **** can some English prick write a story about American Law and spam?! Go back go reporting your own law news.

sigh

Thats mature!

Well that makes it right!

OK - You are so right! This dude is from the right side of our coast - so how the **** does he know what is right and/or wrong. We ALL know that only Americans can say what is right and/or wrong.

English Bastards!

(Sarcasm)

What a moron

Did you have anything to say regarding the content of the report, rather than the nationality of the person who wrote it? My god in heaven.

Well that's rich!

Americans have an international reputation for acting as though they feel they have a divine right to interfere with everyone else on the planet! They don't stop at commenting either, they fly right on in uninvited and drop bombs on people in the name of 'democracy! Your jingoistic comment is pure irony!

What the fuck!

How the **** can some English prick write a story about American Law and spam?! Go back go reporting your own law news.

sigh

Thats mature!

Well that makes it right!

OK - You are so right! This dude is from the right side of our coast - so how the **** does he know what is right and/or wrong. We ALL know that only Americans can say what is right and/or wrong.

English Bastards!

(Sarcasm)

What a moron

Did you have anything to say regarding the content of the report, rather than the nationality of the person who wrote it? My god in heaven.

Well that's rich!

Americans have an international reputation for acting as though they feel they have a divine right to interfere with everyone else on the planet! They don't stop at commenting either, they fly right on in uninvited and drop bombs on people in the name of 'democracy! Your jingoistic comment is pure irony!

Jail for Spam!

That is ridiculous, I have never spamed I have been spamed but that is freakin ridiculous to arrest someone for spaming! Especially someone 18 years old, so he started last year so he was 17? I have the government the way that they put young people in prison, especially for stupid stuff. They need to focus on more important things thats ridiculous! Im pissed. That crap about making it like a meeting and arresting him that is crap. I use myspace and that is sad...

A general statement

I agree with you in general, but refering to this story...it is a unique case. This guy threatened MySpace.com. He put himself in a whole new boat of problems and opened up the floodgates for more lawsuits concerning SPAM/SPIM. I do agree, however, that the SPAMERS/SPIMERS should be punished/fined in the same way that telemarketers are punished when they call someone after it has been requested of them that you be taken off of their list.

Waaa Waa Waa

Please!

Are you using mom and dads internet connection? Don't you realize that for every message of his that you read you are spending (if you pay for your own connection) a couple of pennies to read his crap? Would you rather spend those pennies cleaning the environment or helping the ozone rather than reading about ******** that you could care less about!

Me

Idiotic

I really cannot believe your ignorance. It really is incredible. I am 18 and am appalled that you would say such a thing about my age group. How do you know he was 17 when he started? Furthermore, who cares? He's 18 now and he did it! And you don't think sting operations are a good way to get criminals behind bars? The same thing has been done with murderers, child molesters and rapists for God's sake!

What would you do?

He also threatened to share his methods with others. What would you do? I'm a myspace user too. It would be bullcrap if they gave him an unnecessarily large sentence.

still it is a good thing

still arresting spammers or since it just started spimers it will stop people getting all the crap from e-mails and im's that they dont want and get tired of deleting it.though arresting him for that is kind of wrong though. but it is still a good thing.well im glad cuz i wont get any more im's or mail from him cuz im a myspace user to and that does get really annoying

Jail for Spam!

That is ridiculous, I have never spamed I have been spamed but that is freakin ridiculous to arrest someone for spaming! Especially someone 18 years old, so he started last year so he was 17? I have the government the way that they put young people in prison, especially for stupid stuff. They need to focus on more important things thats ridiculous! Im pissed. That crap about making it like a meeting and arresting him that is crap. I use myspace and that is sad...

A general statement

I agree with you in general, but refering to this story...it is a unique case. This guy threatened MySpace.com. He put himself in a whole new boat of problems and opened up the floodgates for more lawsuits concerning SPAM/SPIM. I do agree, however, that the SPAMERS/SPIMERS should be punished/fined in the same way that telemarketers are punished when they call someone after it has been requested of them that you be taken off of their list.

Waaa Waa Waa

Please!

Are you using mom and dads internet connection? Don't you realize that for every message of his that you read you are spending (if you pay for your own connection) a couple of pennies to read his crap? Would you rather spend those pennies cleaning the environment or helping the ozone rather than reading about ******** that you could care less about!

Me

Idiotic

I really cannot believe your ignorance. It really is incredible. I am 18 and am appalled that you would say such a thing about my age group. How do you know he was 17 when he started? Furthermore, who cares? He's 18 now and he did it! And you don't think sting operations are a good way to get criminals behind bars? The same thing has been done with murderers, child molesters and rapists for God's sake!

What would you do?

He also threatened to share his methods with others. What would you do? I'm a myspace user too. It would be bullcrap if they gave him an unnecessarily large sentence.

still it is a good thing

still arresting spammers or since it just started spimers it will stop people getting all the crap from e-mails and im's that they dont want and get tired of deleting it.though arresting him for that is kind of wrong though. but it is still a good thing.well im glad cuz i wont get any more im's or mail from him cuz im a myspace user to and that does get really annoying

Something not mentioned

I think the "porn" issue will become a hinge point in the trial. The required age to join MySpace.com is 17 years old. (im sure u can tell were im headed with this) The leagal age to veiw porn in the United States is 18 years old.

With that saidt...this guy, in effect, was soliciting unwanted advertisements of pornography to under-age children. That alone should be enough to put this guy away.

GASP! Porn?!

I thought the age to join myspace was 16? Oh, well.. the thing is he made a bigmistake trying to blackmail or whatever you wanna call what he tried to pull over on myspace. That was stupid. Big deal he sent a few porn advertisements to 17 year olds... Like half of them can't walk to their parents closet, reach under their own bed, or even buy them from the book store down the street with that biker dude who works their on Tuesdays and Fridays. As long as the advertisements didn't DISPLAY nudity the 'underage' people weren't looking at nudity? Just advertisement for it. Even if the teenagers could get into the site without getting their age verified you gotta take down the website owners not the advertiser.
What I think the governemnt should look at as crimes... (even though 17 year olds looking at porn is a everyday thing I don't make the laws)
~If their was nudity on the advertisement and it was sent to Minors
~Black-Mailing myspace

Even if he did start advertising the 'porn' at 17 would it matter? It's not illegal to advertise porn at the age of 17 as long as you don't see the actual porn. My guess is like most porn advertisements they had censors and such luring you to the link? It's not really illegal for a 17 year old to look at a women censored is it?
Okay, the kids a moron for threatening myspace enough said.
( PS. I'm not taking his back just speaking my mind, and by the way I love myspace.com )

Absolutely

Finally, someone with logic.

Something not mentioned

I think the "porn" issue will become a hinge point in the trial. The required age to join MySpace.com is 17 years old. (im sure u can tell were im headed with this) The leagal age to veiw porn in the United States is 18 years old.

With that saidt...this guy, in effect, was soliciting unwanted advertisements of pornography to under-age children. That alone should be enough to put this guy away.

GASP! Porn?!

I thought the age to join myspace was 16? Oh, well.. the thing is he made a bigmistake trying to blackmail or whatever you wanna call what he tried to pull over on myspace. That was stupid. Big deal he sent a few porn advertisements to 17 year olds... Like half of them can't walk to their parents closet, reach under their own bed, or even buy them from the book store down the street with that biker dude who works their on Tuesdays and Fridays. As long as the advertisements didn't DISPLAY nudity the 'underage' people weren't looking at nudity? Just advertisement for it. Even if the teenagers could get into the site without getting their age verified you gotta take down the website owners not the advertiser.
What I think the governemnt should look at as crimes... (even though 17 year olds looking at porn is a everyday thing I don't make the laws)
~If their was nudity on the advertisement and it was sent to Minors
~Black-Mailing myspace

Even if he did start advertising the 'porn' at 17 would it matter? It's not illegal to advertise porn at the age of 17 as long as you don't see the actual porn. My guess is like most porn advertisements they had censors and such luring you to the link? It's not really illegal for a 17 year old to look at a women censored is it?
Okay, the kids a moron for threatening myspace enough said.
( PS. I'm not taking his back just speaking my mind, and by the way I love myspace.com )

Absolutely

Finally, someone with logic.

Of course it should be a crime!

SPAM is different from other forms of advertising in the way it shifts the costs from the advertisers to the ISPs and everyone running the networks that have to transfer and filter this crap. If advertisers feel they actually have to use spam, then they should at least be forced to pay the costs for it.

The problem is that the technology allows someone to send out mass e-mail messages without a mechanism to demand payment. In a sense, it is like stealing because they don't pay the costs associated with their advertising. They force it on someone else. If that changes, then spam can be legal; after all, once they have to pay to do it, fewer people will be doing it.

Of course it should be a crime!

SPAM is different from other forms of advertising in the way it shifts the costs from the advertisers to the ISPs and everyone running the networks that have to transfer and filter this crap. If advertisers feel they actually have to use spam, then they should at least be forced to pay the costs for it.

The problem is that the technology allows someone to send out mass e-mail messages without a mechanism to demand payment. In a sense, it is like stealing because they don't pay the costs associated with their advertising. They force it on someone else. If that changes, then spam can be legal; after all, once they have to pay to do it, fewer people will be doing it.

SPAM

ITS ABOUT TIME PEOPLE ARE GETTING IN TROUBLE FOR DOING STUPID SPAM THINGS!!!!!! WOHOO, WHAT AN IDIOT FOR DOING THAT!!!!!!!!!!!

....

How Insightful...

SPAM

ITS ABOUT TIME PEOPLE ARE GETTING IN TROUBLE FOR DOING STUPID SPAM THINGS!!!!!! WOHOO, WHAT AN IDIOT FOR DOING THAT!!!!!!!!!!!

....

How Insightful...

sweet

i like the fact that you are blocking spam because it is really annoying and i hate the ones with porn. i hate it when you try to open something or you are talking to someone and here comes a pop up of spam and of coarse its nasty porn. i wanted to say thank you.
good work and keep it up!! :D

sweet

i like the fact that you are blocking spam because it is really annoying and i hate the ones with porn. i hate it when you try to open something or you are talking to someone and here comes a pop up of spam and of coarse its nasty porn. i wanted to say thank you.
good work and keep it up!! :D

They aren't foolproof

Oh, right, and of course that always works. It never filters out things like emails/IM's that you actually want.

They aren't foolproof

Oh, right, and of course that always works. It never filters out things like emails/IM's that you actually want.