Posted by Virus Bulletin on Aug 9, 2007
'Rizler' convicted on drugs, conspiracy and money laundering charges.
Notorious pharmaceuticals spammer Christopher 'Rizler' Smith was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment last week, after selling $24 million in illegal medications through websites advertised by spam campaigns.
The case broke in May 2005, when Smith's 85-person company was shut down by the FBI and authorities seized more than $4 million in assets, including a house and several luxury cars. Smith travelled abroad on a fake passport and attempted to restart his online drug business, but was later recaptured and has finally been sentenced under charges of breaching drug sales laws, money laundering and running criminal enterprises.
The heavy sentence results from Smith fleeing the country to avoid prosecution, and threatening witnesses involved in the case. While in prison awaiting trial, Smith lost a suit brought by AOL, costing him another $5 million for abusing their email network.
More details on the trial and sentencing are in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune here, or at Sophos here.
Posted on 09 August 2007 by Virus Bulletin
