Australian police raid spamming lair

Officers from the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) seized hard drives and other material from the company and the home of its owner in northern Perth.

"Whoever it is it's great news," said Steve Linford, director of anti-spam lobbyists Spamhaus. "It shows that Australian spam law is not only the best around, but it is being enforced as well. The ACA know all of the Australian spammers, and they're doing a very good job."

The Federal Magistrates Court issued the warrant in the understanding that the company was sending millions of unsolicited commercial emails, in breach of the Spam Act 2003.

The company and its director were served with formal notices in an operation involving computer forensics experts from Deloitte Forensics and lawyers from the Australian Government Solicitor.

"The ACA has received reports from members of the public alleging that they have received thousands of unsolicited emails sent by this company," said ACA acting chairman Bob Horton. "Further investigations suggested that this was only the tip of the iceberg."

The Spam Act 2003 came into effect last April and is widely regarded as the world's most effective anti-spam law. Penalties can be as severe as AUS $1.1 million every day unsolicited commercial email is sent.

As reported in SC Magazine here Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist has filed suit against two men accused of sending thousands of spam emails that linked to more than 75 web sites dealing in fraudulent business.

http://internet.aca.gov.au
www.spamhaus.org