Florida prosecutors have been granted an injunction against two men accused of running mass e-mailing operations, in what is the state"s first victory against spam. The move will prevent Scott Filary, 25, and Donald Townsend, 34, both of Tampa, from sending deceptive e-mails. It"s the first to be granted under an anti-spam law passed in the state last year.
The pair are accused of sending more than 65,000 e-mails, with misleading subjects and disguised origins, and Charlie Crist, attorney general, said links took recipients to sites engaged in fraud or illegal activities like selling pharmaceutical drugs or cigarettes online.
Anti-spam laws in Florida allow for a fine of up to $500 per e-mail sent - making the two accused liable for a fine of up to $24 million.