Last month, we reported “Australia-based spam gang leader gets US$15 million fine” where the US Federal Trade Commission ordered Lance Atkinson, a New Zealand citizen and Australian resident, to pay US$15.15 million for his alleged role in a spam gang that ‘deceptively marketed products such as male-enhancement pills, prescription drugs, and weight-loss pills.’
We are happy to note that a few weeks later, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) was also granted declarations and injunctions at the Federal Court in Brisbane under the Spam Act 2003 against Lance Atkinson.
Mr Atkinson was fined A$210,000 by the court.
According to the ACMA, the court found that Mr Atkinson caused unsolicited spam emails advertising herbal products, watches and other items to be sent to Australians. The ACMA tendered evidence to the court that it has received more than 100,000 reports from Australians about email messages which Atkinson caused to be sent.
Mr Atkinson has been restrained from sending or being involved in sending unsolicited commercial electronic messages to or from Australia for a period of seven years.
“The ACMA’s case in this instance relied on reports made by the general public about spam,” said Chris Chapman, Chairman of the ACMA.
“Reports and complaints about spam from Australians are critical in the fight against spam. Without this information outcomes such as this could not be achieved.”
The ACMA’s investigation has been conducted with the assistance of the United States Federal Trade Commission and the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, both of whom have also taken action against Mr Atkinson.
Source: ACMA website
[...] month, the ACMA again scored a win against an Australia-based international spam gang leader who was also previously found guilty of spamming by United States and New Zealand courts. The [...]