International Ringleader of Spam Operations Pleaded Guilty

According to Michael W. Reap Acting US Attorney, business manager 'Jody M. Smith' from McKinney (Texas, US), who supervised a global business of trading illegal pharmaceuticals and fake goods, has admitted to committing conspiracy, as reported by American Chronicle on August 10, 2009.

The accused business manager, who pleaded guilty to committing defrauding operations in the country, also acknowledged a plea agreement between him and federal prosecutors in the U.S. Eastern District Court of Missouri, as per the federal court documents.

Attorneys on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission, who complained against Smith and his accomplice 'Lance Atkinson' of New Zealand, requested for a tentative order to restrain the alleged offenders' activities, in the U.S. District Court of North Illinois in October 2008. This request was made in view of accused malicious activities such as spuriously marketing various items via spam mails that talk about prescription medicines, a weight-reducing drug and a male-enhancement drug.

As per other details presented in the court, Smith engaged himself as a spam business manager during 2004-October 2008. Accordingly, he spammed e-mails that tried to sell fake goods and online pharmacy services to consumers he solicited for making the purchases.

Furthermore, a person from Romania believably recruited people for distributing spam promoting online pharmacy services and fake products, as per court documents. These people, described as 'spammers,' received a commission depending on the sale they generated for the Romanian's goods and services. Evidently, the person paying the commissions was Smith, who disbursed over $2,000,000 for the purpose.

Moreover, another person believably from Asia was behind shipping and supplying fake pharmaceuticals and products to the Eastern District of Missouri and other places.

The conspiracy further included the illicit trade of prescription medicines through an online pharmacy store, according to the authorities. Investigation also showed that this store sold as well as transferred prescription medicines across the US even if the buyers didn't present an authorized prescription. Moreover, evidences suggest that the transfers of the pharmaceuticals into the US were typically from India.

However, according to court, while some purchasers placed orders and paid for the products, they never received products.

Related article: Internet Threat Volumes Overwhelm Security Companies

» SPAMfighter News - 9/1/2009