NEW YORK — In the first case to use the U.S. Safe Web Act, a federal judge has ordered key players in an international spam operation to repay the $3.7 million earned from promoting two health mainstream products.
The four-year-old act, which targets international perpetrators of Internet fraud as well as spam and spyware distribution, allows for easier exchange of information among the FTC and its foreign counterparts.
The FTC said the spammers promised that an extract of the hoodia gordonii plant would result in weight loss, and that a human-growth hormone pill would reverse aging. The claims were unsubstantiated, the FTC said, and violated both the FTC law and the CAN-SPAM Act.
Regulators said the operation used spam emails to drive unknowing consumers to sites selling the products, violating federal laws on false advertising. They say the emails had fake return addresses and used deceptive subject lines.
The FTC also claimed that operators also failed to provide an opt-out link or a physical address in the email.
Hi
It absolutely astounds me that these scammers will jump on to any product or topic that they think will make them money, regardless whether it endangers life or not.
The latest topic to hit the news is Swine Flu, as I am quite sure you are aware of unless you have been in hiding as it has been relentlessly on the TV, in papers, magazines, on the Internet and every where you turn.
Spammers started sending out e-mails telling readers “Madonna caught swine flu” and “Swine flu in Hollywood” to lure people to pharmacy Web sites, according to McAfee Avert Labs, an online security company.
Three tips to avoid being scammed:
• Avoid opening e-mail from an unknown source, and don’t click on any links in the body of the e-mail.
• Don’t believe online offers for vaccines against swine flu.
• Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date to avoid your computer catching a deadly virus.
The scammers are offering you vaccines for swine flu using the scare factor. The vaccine that has worked in Mexico is called Tamiflu and is made by the Swiss company Roche.
Can I still die if I take Tamiflu – Yes according to Dr. Watkins of Cardiff University UK.
Does it have side effects - Yes, although not everyone will experience them.
Is Tamiflu a cure for swine flu – No its not a cure but it helps suffers to recover by relieving some of the symptoms.
Symptoms of swine Flu – Runny nose, sore throat and a rapidly rising temperature.
I am sure this will help
Health Reporter Plus
Articles | Healthreporterplus | 
July 7, 2009 6:39 pm | 
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