Spam in a Can: “Godfather of Spam” Sent to Jail for 51 Months

Last week saw the sentencing of one of society’s most despised characters, Alan Ralsky, 64, the self-proclaimed “Godfather of Spam.” Ralsky was sentenced to 51 months in jail and five years probation as well as a $250,000 property seizure.

Ralsky’s son-in-law Scott Bradley, 48, and two others were also sent to jail for wire and mail fraud and violating the CAN-SPAM Act, which criminalizes large, commercial e-mail messages sent using an unauthorized computer or with the intent to hide the e-mail’s original source.

Ralsky reportedly sent 70 million messages a day from fake names. In the specific scheme in this case, Ralsky and his team sent billions of illegal e-mail advertisements to inflate the price of Chinese penny stocks and then reaped the profit — making nearly $3 million during the summer of 2005. His accomplice How Wai John Hui was also sentenced to 51 months in prison and 3 years of probation, and he agreed to forfeit $500,000.

Ralsky is a former insurance salesman who lost his license due to misconduct and was previously convicted of federal crimes, here.

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