Viagra spammer gets a rude shock

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has raided a residential premise in relation to allegations that the occupant had sent billions of unsolicited spam emails.

ACMA issued a search warrant after a tip-off from the Dutch Independent Regulator of Post and Telecommunications, OPTA.

"Preliminary analysis of the email messages contained in the spam campaign has identified that over two billion emails were sent in one spam campaign,' said Lyn Maddock, Acting ACMA Chair. "ACMA analysis to date has identified that the messages in the spam campaign primarily promoted Viagra products."

While the Viagra spam appears to have been sent from overseas, section 7 of the Spam Act 2003 makes it an offence for an Australian to be involved in the sending of spam if there is an 'Australian link'.