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Following the Spam Trail

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the stuff-to-read dept.

An anonymous reader writes "MSNBC's Bob Sullivan doggedly follows a spam trail from Alabama to Argentina to find out who actually benefits from spam. The beneficiaries aren't necessarily the pasty faced, high school drop out industrial spammers we have gotten to know, but well known companies."

10 of 232 comments (clear)

  1. Tea bagger by mao+che+minh · · Score: 5, Funny
    The reporter wrote this story as if he actually broke it.

    MSNBC: we have known about the relationship between spam, lead generators, and legitimate businesses for years now. For example, when I filled out an add to enlarge my penis 3 years ago, I got all sorts of emails from GNC and other well known health and fitness companies.....oh wait, I mean, when I clicked on the "See Britney Nude XXX HOT Angelina J-Lo-XXX-HOT!" offer I got an ad from her record label and WareHouse Music in the mail. Yea, that's it.

    FP

  2. Huh? by MoeMoe · · Score: 4, Funny

    What "well known" company offers penis pumps? Has Gates been up to more no good?

    --
    Business \Busi"ness\, n.;
    A scam in which all people involved perceive as beneficial...
    1. Re:Huh? by Salgak1 · · Score: 3, Funny

      It's probably in Sweden. That's where they make the brand Austin Powers endorses. . . (g)

  3. but? by chloroquine · · Score: 5, Funny
    But what about us pasty faced social misfits? I mean, I deserve my slice of the pie as well.

    This article is written for an ignorant audience. I'm an ignorant audience and its smug tone of condescension even pisses me off.

  4. Who benefits from spam? by Linux-based-robots · · Score: 4, Funny

    The mystery is revealed. It is the The Hormel Food Company!

  5. I benifitted from spam! by andy666 · · Score: 5, Funny

    paying attention to the spam i got, i managed to get a great morgage on a house, marry a beautiful russian bride, and i pleasure her every night with my enlarged, viagra powered penis.

    now, if only i could get some printer toner...

  6. See, I told y'all by reboot246 · · Score: 5, Funny

    we do have computers in Alabama.

    And electricity.

    And indoor plumbing.

  7. Re:From a related link. by realdpk · · Score: 3, Funny

    Let's officially proclaim Monday No Spam Filter day, so people can better see the problem when they're most bitter - having to show up after a fun weekend to sit around in the office and delete spam!

  8. MSNBC Spam article asks for email address by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Anyone find it funny that the article asks: "How does unsolicited commercial e-mail affect you?" and then prompts for your email address?

  9. I know this guy by flux4 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Oh yeah, I know him. A real wing nut. He was odd when I met him in 2007, and I must say he's even stranger now, er, then. Who would use an Acme 5X24 anyway? Those things are so unstable... kind of like he is, really.