chort1313
12-02-2002, 03:26 PM
I just thought this was interesting. So close to home. Now just imagine all of the closet spammers I don't know about! lol!
Many internet users receive more junk mail messages -- aka spam -- than emails from friends, family and colleagues combined. Spammers are gobbling up bandwidth, clogging up servers and taking up untold amounts of human and processor time. Some American states have passed laws in an attempt to regulate the renegade industry, but the amount of spam continues to snowball. Shift tracked down three lovely people -- we'll refer to them simply as "Spammer 1", "Spammer 2" and "Spammer 3" -- who play a part in contributing to that mess you get in your inbox every day.
Spammer 1
The Pitch: PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCTS TO MILLIONS TODAY!
The Product: CD-ROMs containing thousands of email addresses
Spammer 1's Story: He's a self-described "professional entrepreneur." This thirtysomething had his own lawn-spraying business before setting up his one-man office in Belleville, Illinois, where he sells email addresses to small businesses. He draws the line at sending out messages advertising porn or casinos -- but he happily sends out spam for companies selling back-up power supplies and advising how to obtain social security benefits. Spammer 1 also plans to "send an email to the whole entire world" for World Prayer Day. His hobbies include long-distance cycling and going on riverboat rides on the Mississippi with his two sons.
On What His Neighbour Thinks: "My family is in a big feud with him," says Spammer 1. "We're spammers and our neighbour hosts websites. He yells over the fence at us, 'You F***ing spammers!' There's a lot of hatred out there, even though what we're doing is perfectly legal. Plus, sending email is good for the environment because it saves trees."
Spammer 2
The Pitch: DOCTOR APPROVED PILL ADDS 1 TO 3 INCHES TO YOUR...
The Product: Extenz, Volumz and Sweetenz -- herbal "maximizer" products for men
Spammer 2's Story: He starts his day at the Pasadena, California, call centre at 6 a.m., talking to customers who have responded to emails -- yes, some people do respond to spam, which is why it won't be going away anytime soon -- and infomercials touting the wonders of "herbal sexual enhancers." This fiftysomething has thirty-five years experience as a salesman, including gigs peddling industrial supplies and selling parts for the aerospace industry. Spammer 2 got his current job a year ago after answering a newspaper ad, and says the call centre is a "little community."
On His Head Honcho: "He likes to remain anonymous. He's an entrepreneur who sold pagers in the nineties and got wealthy. His lady partner is a very sharp woman. She's an engineer, a mother and a graphic designer. She's incredible."
Spammer 3
The Pitch: MAKE PROFITS-PROFITS-PROFITS!
The Product: a ready-made telephone card business
Spammer 3's Story: She sits in the Tele King office in Miami Beach, Florida, seamlessly elaborating on the incredible world of long-distance phone cards to potential distributors. After paying $21,100 to participate in the program, distributors go to stores and set up the "patented talking phone card display" -- a countertop device that directly addresses customers in English or Spanish: "Hello! Purchase America's favorite phone card! Buy it here and now!"
On How Much She Loves Her Job: This nineteen-year-old lives in a beach-front apartment, a pleasure which she credits to her job. "I work for such an excellent company -- it's an amazing opportunity!"
Many internet users receive more junk mail messages -- aka spam -- than emails from friends, family and colleagues combined. Spammers are gobbling up bandwidth, clogging up servers and taking up untold amounts of human and processor time. Some American states have passed laws in an attempt to regulate the renegade industry, but the amount of spam continues to snowball. Shift tracked down three lovely people -- we'll refer to them simply as "Spammer 1", "Spammer 2" and "Spammer 3" -- who play a part in contributing to that mess you get in your inbox every day.
Spammer 1
The Pitch: PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCTS TO MILLIONS TODAY!
The Product: CD-ROMs containing thousands of email addresses
Spammer 1's Story: He's a self-described "professional entrepreneur." This thirtysomething had his own lawn-spraying business before setting up his one-man office in Belleville, Illinois, where he sells email addresses to small businesses. He draws the line at sending out messages advertising porn or casinos -- but he happily sends out spam for companies selling back-up power supplies and advising how to obtain social security benefits. Spammer 1 also plans to "send an email to the whole entire world" for World Prayer Day. His hobbies include long-distance cycling and going on riverboat rides on the Mississippi with his two sons.
On What His Neighbour Thinks: "My family is in a big feud with him," says Spammer 1. "We're spammers and our neighbour hosts websites. He yells over the fence at us, 'You F***ing spammers!' There's a lot of hatred out there, even though what we're doing is perfectly legal. Plus, sending email is good for the environment because it saves trees."
Spammer 2
The Pitch: DOCTOR APPROVED PILL ADDS 1 TO 3 INCHES TO YOUR...
The Product: Extenz, Volumz and Sweetenz -- herbal "maximizer" products for men
Spammer 2's Story: He starts his day at the Pasadena, California, call centre at 6 a.m., talking to customers who have responded to emails -- yes, some people do respond to spam, which is why it won't be going away anytime soon -- and infomercials touting the wonders of "herbal sexual enhancers." This fiftysomething has thirty-five years experience as a salesman, including gigs peddling industrial supplies and selling parts for the aerospace industry. Spammer 2 got his current job a year ago after answering a newspaper ad, and says the call centre is a "little community."
On His Head Honcho: "He likes to remain anonymous. He's an entrepreneur who sold pagers in the nineties and got wealthy. His lady partner is a very sharp woman. She's an engineer, a mother and a graphic designer. She's incredible."
Spammer 3
The Pitch: MAKE PROFITS-PROFITS-PROFITS!
The Product: a ready-made telephone card business
Spammer 3's Story: She sits in the Tele King office in Miami Beach, Florida, seamlessly elaborating on the incredible world of long-distance phone cards to potential distributors. After paying $21,100 to participate in the program, distributors go to stores and set up the "patented talking phone card display" -- a countertop device that directly addresses customers in English or Spanish: "Hello! Purchase America's favorite phone card! Buy it here and now!"
On How Much She Loves Her Job: This nineteen-year-old lives in a beach-front apartment, a pleasure which she credits to her job. "I work for such an excellent company -- it's an amazing opportunity!"