Although spamming is a federal crime in the U.S., the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Internal Affairs have launched civil suits in the matter. Civil cases are considered to be easier to win in court.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken an interest in the matter, however, and recently executed search warrants in Chicago and St. Louis in connection with the case, Wernikoff said.

Three years ago, the FTC obtained a US$2.2 million judgment against Lance Atkinson for marketing similar products, but the Commission has yet to collect a cent from that judgment, Wernikoff said.

On Oct. 6, following the FTC suit, a federal judge signed a temporary restraining order that called for a halt to the operation.

Apparently, spam still pays big money.