The Massachusetts Attorney General has filed a lawsuit designed
to disrupt the activities of an international spam gang. According
to the suit, the spam gang has sent millions of unsolicited emails
in an attempt to drive internet users to websites peddling a seedy
array of goods.
Attorney General Tom Reilly has been granted an emergency court
order to shut down the network of websites run by the spam gang,
offering goods ranging from pornography, bogus prescription drugs,
pirated software and fake luxury goods.
"Spam which peddles bogus prescription drugs is not just a
nuisance, it's a serious danger to people's health," said Graham Cluley, senior
technology consultant for Sophos. "Spam gangs who sell goods via
illegal and unwanted email need to be shut down by the authorities.
It's encouraging to see the Massachusetts authorities investigating
and hunting down those who fill up innocent users' inboxes with
unwanted junk email."
The companies said to be behind the spam campaigns, 2K Services
Ltd and Ecash Pay Ltd, are said to be run by alleged gang ring
leader Leo Kuvayev. According to the Massachusetts Attorney
General's office, the companies use a Boston-based PO box for
correspondence.
Leo Kuvayev is said to have a home in Massachusetts, but is
believed to now be residing in Russia. The investigation into
Kuvayev and six named colleagues is continuing, and no charges have
yet been brought against any individuals.
Attorney General Reilly wants gang members fined for breaking
spam-related laws, and to repay costs for those who have been
bombarded with unwanted spam email.
Sophos recommends companies protect themselves with a consolidated solution which can defend against the
threats of both spam and viruses.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.