Spammer Robert Alan Soloway Arrested and Charged

After several years of investigation by U.S. authorities, Robert Alan Soloway, AKA “The Spam King”, has been arrested and charged with money laundering, fraud and identity theft. He allegedly violated the CAN-SPAM act of 2003, which makes it a crime to send unsolicited, unwanted e-mail in the U.S.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that Federal prosecutors are going to require Soloway to return almost $800,000 worth of proceeds from his spamming adventures (he may also have to forfeit his pretty Mercedes too – sweet!).

Soloway is so hated in anti-spam circles that there is much rejoicing over this news. There are even several websites which have plenty of dirt on this 27 year old from his driving records to how to call his mother.

He faces decades in prison but it is not clear exactly how many years it will ultimately be. At least he is sitting in a little cell somewhere with no computer access instead of kickin’ back in his posh Seattle apartment.

However, even though a top spammer has been taken offline, spam will continue to flow. Soloway is not the only top spammer, just one of dozens. In reality, his arrest is probably just a moral victory, because it certainly does not signal the end of spam.

For some great tips on how to protect yourself from spam, check out Spamhaus.