Interview With a Spammer

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Posted by michael on Saturday September 27, 2003 @04:53AM from the need-a-wooden-stake dept.

Shipud writes "The NYTimes interviewed Richard Colbert, under the title of 'Confessions of a SPAM King'. Richard talks about one-time credit cards, WiFi, 'good' vs. 'bad' spam and more."

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Obligitory link... by dnaboy · 2003-09-27 05:00 · Score: 5, Informative

The obligitory link to the New york times random login generator for those who don't feel the desire to identify yourself (or bother to create a clever alter ego).
These days you actually have to downlad the java script to your computer, because of those clever NYT people, but it's still possible for those who have personal issues with registrations....
Re:All I want to know is. . . by hendridm · 2003-09-27 05:21 · Score: 3, Informative

You can start with some of the addresses listed at the ROKSO.
Re:Spamming must be lucrative by Animats · 2003-09-27 05:42 · Score: 2, Informative

It's suprising how many of these guys really do live in mobile homes.
I'm more worried about corporate spammers, who send "legitimate spam". But they're about to be history. After January 1, California's new spam law turns on, with criminal penalties and a private right of action. And you get to sue the advertiser, not just the sender.
Re:All I want to know is. . . by 1010011010 · 2003-09-27 05:52 · Score: 4, Informative

How about one of his websites?

http://bowieltd.com/

Administrative Contact:
Colbert, Richard pcheaven2k@zwallet.com
2400 W Broward Blvd
Suite 523
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
US
954-327-0766

--
Napster-to-go says "Fill and refill your compatible MP3 player", which is a lie. It's not MP3. It's WMA with DRM.
Re:Something you can do (in Europe) by frankie · 2003-09-27 05:52 · Score: 2, Informative

not that hard replacing the simcard in a mobile phone
Sigh. One of the many advantages of having a unified cell infrastructure, unlike the USA. Each provider has their own network, which means you need to buy a new phone if you switch. Heck, we still can't even port our number with us.
Re:The self appointed privacy advocates by zaren · 2003-09-27 06:00 · Score: 2, Informative

What is SPAM ?

SPAM is a form of direct marketing, where the customers is approached by email.

BZZZZZZT! You're describing "spam", not the tasty pink processed meat product: I quote from Hormel:

We do not object to use of this slang term to describe UCE, although we do object to the use of the word "spam" as a trademark and to the use of our product image in association with that term. Also, if the term is to be used, it should be used in all lower-case letters to distinguish it from our trademark SPAM, which should be used with all uppercase letters. -- http://spam.com/ci/ci_in.htm

Note that direct markting itself was never a problem itself, and it's much older than computers. The first forms of direct marketing can be traced back to the end of the 19th century.

And before spam came along, the marketer or the seller shouldered the cost of the advertising. They paid for their paper, and the postage, the shipping clerk that handled the mail, etc., etc. Spammers pay for none of that. They illegally access servers in Korea and China to spew their slime, infect computers world-wide with viruses that turn personal computers in spam relay stations, use free email accounts to inject their spew into the network... and the cost of this, in terms of bandwidth, server storage, and all the other reltaed systems and people needed to maintain them, is passed on to the unwilling recipients.

The main problem with SPAM is that it is undirected. Zillions of people getting zillions of email with offers they don't need...

No, the main problem with spam is that it's a theft of resources, not to mention fraud, harassment, violation of privacy, and violation of at least two dozen state's laws.

--
Come to the University of Mars! Classes starting soon!
Google saves the day! by phannah · 2003-09-27 07:35 · Score: 2, Informative

Richard D Colbert, (954) 484-9977, 1765 NW 39th Ct, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe =UTF-8&q=%22richard+colbert%22+bellsouth http://www.google.com/search?q=%22richard+colbert% 22+florida&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Spam is NOT free speech by frankie · 2003-09-27 07:50 · Score: 4, Informative

It's called Free Speech. Bill of Rights
Not according to Warren Burger, Chief Justice, SCOTUS, May 4, 1970:

"Nothing in the Constitution compels us to listen to or view any unwanted communication, whatever its merit"

"We therefore categorically reject the argument that a vendor has a right under the Constitution or otherwise to send unwanted material into the home of another. If this prohibition operates to impede the flow of even valid ideas, the answer is that no one has a right to press even 'good' ideas on an unwilling recipient. That we are often 'captives' outside the sanctuary of the home and subject to objectionable speech and other sound does not mean we must be captives everywhere. The asserted right of a mailer, we repeat, stops at the outer boundary of every person's domain."
Nice fraud on his home page too..... by davinciII · 2003-09-27 08:01 · Score: 2, Informative

His homepage claims he is mentally unstable, gives a large sob story, and begs for Paypal donations.

Also includes a larege picture of the man himself.
Re:Finally, confirmed. by Malcontent · 2003-09-27 08:04 · Score: 2, Informative

You can tell Mozilla mail not to display remote images in mail and news. It's under privacy->images.

Yet another reason why Mozilla rules.

--
War is necrophilia.
Re:Hello my name is Richard Dennis Colbert Jr. by randyest · 2003-09-27 08:16 · Score: 3, Informative

Hey fuckwit moderators: this is not offtopic. It's from the spammer's own website mentioned in the article.

There really needs to be some sort of IQ test before mod points are given out. Really.

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everything in moderation