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Spam Subject Lines Move from Genitalia to Celebrities -- Analyzing Today's Spam

072808_sz_spam.jpg Spam drives us nuts. Yes, we know Gmail's spam filter is amazing, but we really like getting POPmail in our Mail program. It helps us organize the million and one communicados we get daily into a million and one topic related folders.

That said, using a POPmail application leaves you vulnerable to tons and tons of spam. Most of the time it's annoying and requires us to move our mouse to the "junk" button, but occasionally we get spam that makes us look twice, and sometimes even crack a smile ("Skinny Cecilia interracial buttocks").

That said, lately we've been getting some weird spam subject lines and we wondered if anyone else was getting them...

 
 

Most of the spam has scandalous, and usually fake, celebrity headlines with unrelated "news" in the message body followed by a website. Below are some examples (I've deleted the websites):

  • Subject: Britney Spears sues for custody

    Obama held private sessions with Iranian government

  • Subject: Jessica Simpson drugs scandal

    Black PR against Bush

  • Subject: Sarah Jessica Parker Arrested For Gross Negligee

    Ebay Lists Another Cheese Sandwich

  • Subject: Suicide bomber kills 53 in NY

    Marlon Brando makes comeback in upcoming Godfather 4

  • *And the one that first got me to look in the first place*

  • Subject: Spielberg found dead in freak accident

    Lindsay lohan drugged out at own birthday party

Have any of you been getting spam like this? Have the spammers figured out that we won't read emails about how unimpressive our members are, but we will click on tabloid fodder?

Tags

communication, NEWS, home office, spam, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Marlon Brando, Steven Spielberg, barack obama

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Comments (4)

My boyfriend got one with the subject line: "Paris Hilton to operate new atom collider"

I told him he should buy whatever R0l3x watches they were selling just reward them for coming up with that much unmitigated awesome. He declined.

posted by melanie on 2008-07-28 13:04:37
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Yep. In my gmail junk folder right now:

- S: New Ford models sneak previews
X-files movie bombs spectacularly at box office
- S: McCain supports idea that Obama is muslim
Steve Jobs suffers a sudden heartache and is in critical condition
- S: McCain declares war on bin Laden
Click here to find out more about the biggest prize on earth
- S: Qantas CEO to quit following crash
Returning the iPhone after two weeks Of daily use

I'm surprised that most of these are pretty lame. I want more amusement like what melanie's boyfriend got! Of course, I'm still not going to click on the spammers' website.

posted by caitlen315 on 2008-07-28 13:37:34
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i got one saying Patrick Swayze commited suicide!!!! it was horrifying.

posted by kdkaboom on 2008-07-28 14:28:31
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I got spam from someone who's inspired by the Catholic Church ;)

- Will Poopee Benedict become a Mormon after he dies?
- Womaan Sees Virgin Marry On Pet Turtle

posted by Lette on 2008-07-28 17:02:21
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