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This Spam I Don't Understand…

Posted on May 23, 2006 by Jeremy Toeman

Ok, so I get the numbers, and I understand that it only takes about one hit per billion emails sent to make it worthwhile to send spam.  I don’t like it, but I get it.  Personally, I’d like to at least opt out of the lists that don’t make any sense for me to be on (I will never buy Office XP for $79.99, nor do I need another University Diploma, and I am pretty sure that the Gap has enough secret shoppers already), although I guess that’s wishful thinking.

I also understand using crafty subject lines such as “Fw: this is something you had to see” when sent to me by someone with a slightly unusual name, like Gretchen Tinsley.  I also thought “Thanks for being a good friend” from Morton Ruiz was clever enough to take a look at (read: I was duped).  But recently I’ve received numerous emails with subject lines such as “Re: my VALLtvUM” or “Re: before the be11 news”.

In fact, the VALLtvUM email body started like this:

A M B B / E N
V A L L / U M
C / A L L / S
V / A G G R A
X ^ N N A X
M E R / D D / A
S O M M ^
P R R O Z ^ C
L E V V / T R A

And then had a link to http://www.ruewunsuereion.com, and despite knowing it was going to be bad, I figured I had to take a look.  Turns out it’s a site offering tons of the above drugs (although spelled correctly, for the most part) at discount prices.  By the way, A M B B / E N is killer for long-haul flights.

You know, it’s one thing to trick me into opening porn, or maybe buying crappy software or a fake university diploma.  Furthermore, I can understand looking for and purchasing discount drugs on the Internet (remember, I said I can understand, that doesn’t mean I plan to do it). But here’s what I don’t get:

Who on Earth would even consider buying medication from someone who can’t spell it right?  This stuff can kill you, man!

Maybe it’s time to head to Walgreens to buy B3n^dryl or ad/1L, and while you are there, don’t forget to pick up some extra 5c0pe and |

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Posted in General, No/Low-tech, That's Janky | 4 Comments
« He is the Guru of Seat
Go laugh at a geek! »

4 thoughts on “This Spam I Don't Understand…”

  1. sMoRTy71 says:
    May 24, 2006 at 5:08 am

    I love getting the spam that has the long list of random words at the bottom. Here is one I got a while back:

    “coddle not the our of drummond
    or you bulgaria joey”

    Is that Shakespeare?

    Reply
  2. Matt Whitlock says:
    May 24, 2006 at 8:55 am

    The whole reason they misspell the drug names is to help get around spam filters. Most anti-spam products look for words like “Viagra” and move it to a bulk or junk mail folder. Replacing a letter or intentionally misspelling it lets it slip past to your regular inbox, depending on how good your filtering software is.

    Reply
  3. Jeremy Toeman says:
    May 24, 2006 at 9:48 am

    Matt,
    I get it, I know… My point is, I don’t like ordering a hamburger if it is spelled incorrectly on a menu – why would anyone actually CLICK on the links in an email like that???
    -jt

    Reply
  4. Matt Whitlock says:
    May 24, 2006 at 10:56 am

    Why Would anyone click on a link in an e-mail like this?

    Well, other than sheer stupidity, I can imagine some folks that can’t afford certain drugs they think they need, or don’t have medical insurance. E-mails like this can easily prey on poor folks like this who have to rely on the grey or black markets for drugs.

    I guess the bigger question, does anyone ACTUALLY click on the links in these messages? I can only assume yes, but it’s got to be one in a million or less.

    Reply

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About

Jeremy Toeman is a seasoned Product leader with over 20 years experience in the convergence of digital media, mobile entertainment, social entertainment, smart TV and consumer technology. Prior ventures and projects include CNET, Viggle/Dijit/Nextguide, Sling Media, VUDU, Clicker, DivX, Rovi, Mediabolic, Boxee, and many other consumer technology companies. This blog represents his personal opinion and outlook on things.

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