DailyTech - Spam King Alan Ralsky Not Jailed

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Internet Spam King Alan Ralsky Not Jailed
Tim Thorpe (Blog) - May 2, 2006 3:34 PM

14 comment(s) - last by Fnoob.. on May 3 at 9:35 PM

Reports of Alan Ralsky being picked up by the fed's turn out to be false

Over the weekend several news outlets reported that self proclaimed "Spam King" Alan Ralsky had been arrested by the US Department of Justice on fraud charges. The report came from a individual who goes by the name "memhacker" in an IM conversation with a tech related blog. "memhacker" indicated that Mr. Ralsky was picked up last Friday and was being held under a sealed indictment that was due to be opened yesterday. "memhacker" also mentioned that the spam and botnet underground as well as the hacking community were in fear of Mr. Ralsky making a deal with the Federal Government in an attempt to garner a reduced sentence or outright immunity.

Inquires put in to the DoJ and Detroit FBI field office resulted in puzzling dead ends as both agencies had no information as to having Mr. Ralsky in custody.

Early Monday morning the original source recanted the story of Mr. Ralsky’s early demise. It is worth mentioning that Alan Ralsky’s home and datacenter were raided last year and equipment was confiscated by federal authorities but no arrests were made. Mr. Ralsky is also a convicted felon who served three years probation on bank fraud charges.

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Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By oneils on 5/2/2006 4:49:37 PM , Rating: 2

Disclaimer: I know nothing about how to set a spam empire. However, you would think that you would at least operate outside of the US to avoid prosecution.

RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By oneils on 5/2/2006 4:50:49 PM , Rating: 2

My point being, I doubt he is anywhere near the continent (let alone, the US).

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By Roomraider on 5/2/2006 7:38:06 PM , Rating: 2

Contrary to (REPORTED RUMORS) Mr. Ralsky is not in custody, in fact he is happily living in the home where he has lived the past 5 years, 3 miles away from my own home in West Bloomfield, Mi.
Believe me, the local media has 24 hr surveilance set up near this guys home. They've been hounding this guy from the very begining of his exposure.

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By cowboysfan2 on 5/2/2006 8:28:53 PM , Rating: 2

At least someone is hounding him for a change...I wonder if they send him a bunch of unwanted e-mails?

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By dmcanally on 5/2/2006 8:37:09 PM , Rating: 2

screw sending him unwanted e-mails... they should just stuff his physical mail box with garbage every day after the mail man comes. That way, he has to sift through nasty trash to find the stuff he actually wants.

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By oTAL on 5/2/2006 9:00:25 PM , Rating: 2

This was already done. Pelo on slashdot subscribed his address to every possible free stuff you can imagine spamming his physical mail.

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By oTAL on 5/2/2006 9:00:43 PM , Rating: 2

pelo = ppl... sorry...

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By jediknight on 5/2/2006 9:46:45 PM , Rating: 2

Anthrax would do the trick.

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By retrospooty on 5/2/2006 11:19:38 PM , Rating: 2

Or at least a severe daily beating.

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By CSMR on 5/3/2006 4:46:35 AM , Rating: 2

USPS is quite capable of doing that itself.

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By Christopher1 on 5/2/2006 11:43:37 PM , Rating: 1

What can they prosecute him for? Most of the things he is accused of doing were done BEFORE Congress passed the Can-SPAM act, so they can't go after him for those acts.

The Constitution specifically reads "Congress shall make no RETROACTIVE laws." Now, if they can prove he was doing this BS AFTER the Can-Spam act was passed, then they can nail his ass and should.

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By oneils on 5/3/2006 9:59:40 AM , Rating: 2

Great info. Thanks. That's why he's not in some exotic locale sipping margueritas. But, really, that's what he should be doing. At least, that's what I'd be doing.

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RE: Why is he even stil in the US? Retire to bahamas already.

By mindless1 on 5/3/2006 10:20:34 AM , Rating: 2

unauthorized use of computer systems. For many years ISPs did not allow spamming, you can't do that, it is unauthorized use. Sounds like a thin argument but truth is, people are hounded by prosecutors for less.

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