I have just received a second copy of a nearly identical spam
(below - although this second one is slightly "improved"). As you
can see the guy wants to sell evasion software to other Email
spammers. (The first message was clearer)
Two weeks ago (after complaining) I got a note from netcom.com
saying they would cut the guy off, and this morning I received
what follows. Despite the "improvements" to the header his
stuff appears still to be coming via netcom.
Can anyone tell me if there is some HIGHER AUTHORITY to which I
can take this specific issue.
I don't want to write to netcom again because they don't seem
very enthusiastic about solving the problem and I appear to be a
type of BETA tester for the spammer. (If I catch him he needs
to improve his work.)
For the record:
His current published Email reply is:
"NQorders@aol.com"
(see order form at end)
and his previous email was:
"orders@neo-quest.com"
I can think of several explanations for this, but more
knowledgable users might be better able to evaluate. I still
have the previous message, including the header. (I am puzzled
by the location in the header of the "From: EXTRACTOR@NOREPLY.COM")
Thanks for any help.
> Received: from mail1.bellatlantic.net (mail1.bellatlantic.net
> [199.45.32.38]) by clic1.qbc.clic.net (8.7.6/8.7.3) with ESMTP
> id GAA05587 for <kelias@clic.net>; Mon, 7 Apr 1997 06:50:47
> -0400 (EDT)
> From: EXTRACTOR@NOREPLY.COM
> Received: from MAIL1.BELLATLANTIC.NET (wil-de1-07.ix.netcom.com
> [205.184.17.39]) by mail1.bellatlantic.net (8.7.5/8.7.3) with
> SMTP id GAA12405; Mon, 7 Apr 1997 06:46:21 -0400 (EDT)
> Received: from
> mailhost.noreply.com(ppp3.noreply.com(204.78.5.102)) by
> noreply.com (8.8.5/8.6.5) with SMTP id GAA09282 for
> <you@yourdomain.com>; Mon, 07 Apr 1997 06:32:08 -0600 (EST)
> To: you@yourdomain.com
> Message-ID: <199702170025.gaa08056@noreply.com>
> Date: Mon, 07 Apr 97 06:32:08 EST
> Subject: ***UNLIMITED Supply of FREE e-mail Leads***
> Reply-To: extractor@noreply.com
> X-UIDL: 34657382932983276547112938473000
> Comments: Authenticated sender is <extractor@noreply.com>
> Status: R
> Lines: 382
> X-Status: O
>
>
> ATTENTION INTERNET MARKETERS:
> *Do you use the Internet to market a product, service, or business
> opportunity?
> * Do you post ads to the Newsgroups or other classifieds areas?
> * Are you discouraged by the "flames" and poor response rates?
> * Are you tired of your ISP threatening to terminate your service for
> "spamming"?
>
> If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you'll probably be
> VERY interested in this important announcement. If this information does not
> apply to you, please accept our sincerest apologies for the intrusion.
>
> THIS INFORMATION WILL SHOW YOU:
> * How to stop posting ads FOREVER and still earn an above average income
> working on the Internet!
> * How to obtain an exciting new software program that provides you with an
> UNLIMITED supply of FREE email leads!
> * How to send your offer to MANY THOUSANDS of prospects without fear of
> "flames" or losing your ISP.
>
> Please read on...
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> PREFACE: IS NEWSGROUP ADVERTISING REALLY WORTH THE HEADACHE?
>
> TENS OF THOUSANDS of online marketers use the Internet Newsgroups to promote
> some kind of product, service, or business opportunity. If so many are doing
> it, then it must be effective, right? Not really.
>
> Then why do so many "net-trepreneurs" post thousands of new ads every single
> day in the Newsgroups? Well, one reason is because of the price - it's free.
> Another reason is because many online marketers are led to believe that
> posting a few ads here and there will produce more leads than they can
> possibly handle, bringing them success practically overnight. If you've been
> advertising in the Newsgroups for any length of time at all, then you
> already know that this myth is the exact OPPOSITE of the truth.
>
> Fact is, your ad in the Newsgroups is like a needle in a haystack. Every
> day is a constant struggle to figure out a new way to make YOUR ad stand out
> over the thousands of other ads posted before and after yours.
>
> And for those few meager responses you may receive in exchange for the hours
> you spent writing and posting your ads, combined with all of the "flames"
> you'll more than likely receive, and not to mention the risk of your ISP
> terminating your account for "spamming", is Newsgroup advertising REALLY
> worth the headache? Certainly not!
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> RELAX - THERE'S A BETTER WAY!
>
> Imagine for a minute - what if you could rise above the "battle zone" of
> your online marketing peers, taking your advertising campaign to a new
> level? What if these tens of thousands of online entrepreneurs, who were
> once your competition for leads, were now YOUR customers? Is this even
> possible? MOST DEFINITELY!
>
> Believe it or not, online marketers are your absolute BEST target for
> quality leads! Why? Simple. Most online marketers already have P/T or F/T
> small & home-based businesses. It's highly probable that your product,
> service, or opportunity would be the perfect compliment to their existing
> business. In fact, you would get MUCH BETTER results by reaching 1,000 other
> like-minded entrepreneurs then by reaching 10,000 non-entrepreneurs.
>
> For example, suppose you're marketing long-distance telephone services. You
> could offer your service to all of the other Newsgroup advertisers. After
> all, everyone NEEDS to have long-distance phone service, why not yours?
> Another example, if you sell nutritional products, the same rule applies.
> Everyone wants to be healthy! Or perhaps you're trying to recruit new
> members into your Network Marketing (or MLM) company. Obviously, all of the
> people posting similar ads are open to the concept of MLM, and most of them
> would consider joining another MLM to supplement their income(s), if they
> were presented with the right opportunity (hint, hint).
>
> There will always be thousands of new entrepreneurs entering the Newsgroups
> for their first time every day. This means that your supply of prospects is
> virtually untapped, providing you with an endless stream of hot new leads!
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> SO HOW DO YOU REACH ALL OF THESE OTHER LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS?
>
> Easy! Bulk email. However, bulk email is, and probably always will be, a
> controversial subject. Perhaps you've even considered using bulk email at
> one time, but decided against it for one reason or another. Whatever your
> reasons were, the facts remain: (1.) Bulk email is 100% legal, (2.) many
> online marketers are making small fortunes using bulk email, and (3.) it's
> FREE to send email in unlimited quantities provided you have the RIGHT
> TOOLS. In fact, right now email is the MOST EFFECTIVE way of reaching
> potential customers. Internet experts have concluded that the typical direct
> email campaign yields an average of 1-4% response rates.
>
> And there's no need to pay one of those high-priced bulk email companies to
> do your advertising campaign for you: (#1) ANYBODY can use the same tools
> the expensive bulk email companies are using, (#2) there really is no way to
> verify that the "company" emailed exactly what they promised, (#3) YOU can
> be in charge of who your target audience will be, and (#4) keep your money
> and your profits to yourself! We will show you how to acquire an UNLIMITED,
> FREE supply of quality leads, and start your very own bulk email campaign!
>
> You already know that the Internet is the best way to start a new business
> on a global scale. Why not maximize your advertising campaign to its highest
> potential. Run with the technology before the technology runs over you!
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> NEW SOFTWARE GETS YOU AN UNLIMITED SUPPLY OF LEADS!
>
> Perhaps you've already heard of the popular software programs "Floodgate",
> "Lightening Bolt", and/or "Netcontact". These software programs utilize a
> relatively new Internet technology that enable the user to automatically
> extract thousands upon thousands of fresh email addresses from the Internet,
> the Newsgroups, and popular online services such as AOL and Compuserve. The
> software will then compile these email addresses into plain text files that
> can be easily integrated into popular email programs such as Eudora and
> Pegasus. You can then send YOUR offer to these thousands and thousands of
> potential customers, all at the click of a button!
>
> IT IS POSSIBLE TO SEND UP TO 50,000 EMAILS PER DAY! What could a massive
> marketing campaign of this proportion do for your business? Well, let's take
> a look at some hypothetical figures. First, let's say that you're selling a
> product that yields a conservative $25 profit. Even if only ½ of 1% of the
> people that you sent your offer to responded with an order, that would equal
> 250 orders! At $25 per order, that means you've just made $6,250 for one
> day's work!! Imagine if you did this 250 days out of the year (we're
> excluding weekends and holidays). Your income for one year would equal
> $1,562,500!! Imagine if your product sold for $50! $100! $1000!
>
> Sound too good to be true? Ok, even if you only sent out 5,000 emails per
> day (which could be done in as little as an hour and a half), using the same
> $25 profit margin and the same conservative ½ of 1% response rate, you would
> still earn $625 daily, for a total of $156,250 annually! A six figure income
> - not bad for a part-time home business!
>
> Still a non-believer? Even sending out a mere 1,000 emails per day (takes
> about 20 minutes) using the above figures would yield you an annual income
> of $31,250! Hey, that's a descent living! And for only 20 minutes a day!
>
> Even if you're not selling an actual product or service, and you're trying
> to recruit new members into your MLM, you could have a downline of massive
> proportions, within weeks or even days!
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> *** NEOQUEST, INC. & FREE-NET II ***
> *** YOUR SOLUTION TO AN ULTRA-SUCCESSFUL MARKETING CAMPAIGN! ***
>
> FIRST, THE BAD NEWS:
>
> 1. None of the above listed software programs (Floodgate, Lightening Bolt,
> Netcontact) can be bought in stores - they are available by purchase ONLY on
> the Internet.
>
> 2. All three of these programs sell for $400-$600. Granted, for the results
> these software programs will bring to your business, they are still well
> worth the price, but for most of us Internet marketers, $400-$600 for a
> software program is still an unjustifiable expense. You may have even
> considered purchasing one of these programs in the past, but decided against
> it because you couldn't/wouldn't risk spending that amount of money for
> something you weren't 100% sure about.
>
> NOW, THE GOOD NEWS:
>
> 1. NeoQuest, Inc., a leading software distributor in the heart of Silicon
> Valley, California, has a team of software engineers who have painstakingly
> broken down the programming code for the above three programs (Floodgate,
> Lightening Bolt, and Netcontact), and have assembled the ULTIMATE bulk email
> extraction tool utilizing the best features from all 3 of them.
>
> 2. NeoQuest's new email extraction software, FREE-NET II, is equally as
> POWERFUL as its premium-priced brothers, enabling the user to extract
> literally THOUSANDS of new email addresses per hour from the Internet, the
> Newsgroups, and several popular online services.
>
> 3. Because we at NeoQuest have realized that $400-$600 for a software
> program is much too expensive for the average consumer to afford, WE ARE NOW
> OFFERING FREE-NET II AT THE BREAKTHROUGH PRICE OF ONLY $99! That's a 75-85%
> savings!!
>
> 4. We have taken away any mystery about purchasing FREE-NET II with our FULL
> 30-DAY UNCONDITIONAL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. If at any time during the first
> 30 days you feel that FREE-NET II isn't everything we've promised, simply
> return it for a full refund, no questions asked.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> FEATURES OF FREE-NET II:
>
> * Compatible with Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows NT 3.5x, and Windows NT 4.0.
>
> * Integrates easily into most popular email programs including Eudora and
> Pegasus.
>
> * Extracts up to 20,000 email addresses per hour from the Internet, the
> Newsgroups, and several popular online services such as AOL and Compuserve.
>
> * Filters out any unwanted email addresses (i.e. postmasters, etc.).
>
> * Easy-to-follow software instructions will help even the most novice of
> computer users get started immediately, including tips to help maximize your
> email extraction and mailing efforts. Also included are locations to
> download free copies of Eudora and/or Pegasus Mail.
>
> * FULL 30-DAY UNCONDITIONAL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> *** INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL - PURCHASE FREE-NET II WITHIN THE NEXT 10 DAYS AND
> RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BONUS PACKAGE, ABSOLUTELY FREE:
>
> * FREE CheckFax Software: Now you can accept checks via fax, phone, or
> email. Tap in to the 70+ million consumers who WANT to buy your
> products/services but do not have credit cards. Stop waiting to get paid
> and start cashing checks! 100% legal and approved by all banks.
>
> * FREE AOL Powertools Software: Dramatically enhance your direct email
> marketing campaign by extracting email addresses from AOL's 6+ million
> member database.
>
> * FREE "Stealth" Email Secrets: Valuable secrets the professional bulk
> emailers don't want you to have. You'll be able to produce a profitable,
> flame-free, massive direct email campaign almost immediately.
>
> * FREE Internet Advertising Links: Links to 1000's of locations to place
> free ads all over the Internet.
>
> THE BONUS PACKAGE ALONE IS WORTH THE $99 PRICE OF FREE-NET II - DON'T WAIT
> UNTIL THIS FREE OFFER EXPIRES - ORDER NOW!
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *** UPDATE: We are also pleased to announce that just today we will begin
> offering a new software program called E-Mail Pro/Stealth Mailer!
> This new program allows the user to send up to 250,000 emails per hour!
>
> Email Pro/Stealth Mailer also has built-in cloaking capabilities. YOU are in
> complete control of the information that appears in all header fields. You
> also have the ability to "piggyback" off of up to 20 different servers, all
> simultaneously! What this means is that you will be able to send an
> unlimited number of flame-free emails without fear of losing your ISP.
>
> We at NeoQuest are extremely excited about this new technology. This is a
> program that is so new, practically no one has it. The few companies that do
> sell this type of software charge as high as $499.00. As an introductory
> special, we will be offering Email Pro/Stealth Mailer for the same low price
> as FREE-NET II - only $99.00! We GUARANTEE you will not find a lower price,
> anywhere!
>
> We will be temporarily offering a new package deal: purchase FREE-NET II
> Bulk Email Extractor AND Email Pro/Stealth Mailer together for only $169.00!
> Together, these programs will allow you to start an extremely POWERFUL,
> BULLET-PROOF bulk email campaign!
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> LETTERS FROM SUCCESSFUL FREE-NET II USERS:
>
> "I just purchased your FREE-NET II software package recently, and I just
> wanted to let you know how thoroughly pleased I am with it. The instructions
> were easy to follow and FREE-NET II has done absolute miracles for my
> business! I'm a wholesaler of cellular phones. I must admit that I was a
> little skeptical at first, but the first time I used it, I extracted over
> 8000 email addresses. After my first mailing, I couldn't believe how many
> people wrote back with questions about my phones. I even had 6 people place
> orders without even asking for more information! My initial sales after the
> very first mailing earned me around $1300, which paid for the cost of your
> software 13 times over! Now my business is flourishing... I even had to
> hire my sister to help me process all the orders I'm getting! Thanks again!"
> - Dan Hullet, Denver CO
>
> "Just a quick note to tell you guys how much your FREE-Net software has
> helped me. I'm literally swamped with orders! I can't believe the amount of
> time I spent advertising on the Net before I found FREE-Net. This is too
> easy! I even had to stop my mailings for a week just so I could catch up on
> all my orders! I told some of my friends about your software, so look for
> some referrals real soon! Thanks." - Brian Mohr, Trenton NJ
>
> "My name is Dave Pritchard. I ordered your Free-net package about a month
> ago. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that it's everything you said it
> was... and more! I have a desktop publishing business that I do part-time in
> my home. Your software has enabled me to find more customers in 1 month than
> I could in a whole year placing free ads on AOL. I'm doing so well, I might
> even quit my regular job soon! I made over $2200 last month, and I only
> spent about 30 minutes a day for my advertising! I owe all of my recent
> success to your software... thank you!" - Dave Pritchard, Seattle WA
>
> "Hi. I just wanted to say 'Thanks'! Your Free-Net software is really
> impressive. Actually, it was just what my business needed. I'm in
> multi-level marketing for a pre-paid phone card company. After only 1 week
> of using Free-Net (and not knowing what to expect), I ended up having over
> 300 people request more information about my business! It's amazing! I was
> really unprepared for the onslaught of emails I got, so I gave many of my
> new leads away to some other reps in my organization. Now I have a web site
> set up with all of the information available online, and people are signing
> up from my web page! In 5 weeks I've signed up over 130 new members!"
> - Diane Winder, Birmingham AL
>
>
> (order form - cut here)
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> *** NEOQUEST EASY ORDER FORM ***
>
> YOUR INFORMATION:
>
> LAST NAME: ______________________ FIRST NAME: __________________
>
> ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________
>
> CITY, STATE, ZIP: _________________________________
>
> E-MAIL ADDRESS: _________________@_________________
>
>
> CHECK ALL THAT APPLY:
>
> [ ] PLEASE RUSH ME THE FREE-NET II EMAIL EXTRACTION SOFTWARE FOR ONLY $99.00
>
> [ ] PLEASE RUSH ME THE E-MAIL PRO/STEALTH MAILER SOFTWARE FOR ONLY $99.00
>
> [ ] ** SPECIAL OFFER ** PLEASE RUSH ME BOTH FREE-NET II AND E-MAIL
> PRO/STEALTH MAILER FOR ONLY $169.00!
>
> [ ] I UNDERSTAND THAT NORMAL SHIPPING & HANDLING CHARGES ARE $3.25 FOR
> POSTAL DELIVERY (orders outside the U.S. please add $10.00 to normal S/H
> charges).
>
> [ ] FORGET THE SHIPPING & HANDLING CHARGES! PLEASE SEND MY ORDER TO MY
> E-MAIL ACCOUNT. I AM ENCLOSING MY PAYMENT FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT CHECKED ABOVE.
>
> [ ] I AM ORDERING WITHIN 10 DAYS OF RECEIVING THIS OFFER. PLEASE SEND ME THE
> BONUS PACKAGE AS OUTLINED ABOVE AT NO EXTRA CHARGE.
>
> [ ] I AM ORDERING AFTER THE 10 DAY FREE BONUS PACKAGE OFFER HAS EXPIRED;
> HOWEVER, I WOULD STILL LIKE TO ORDER THE BONUS PACKAGE. I AM INCLUDING AN
> ADDITIONAL $29.00
>
>
> THERE ARE 2 WAYS TO SEND YOUR ORDER:
>
> (#1) "SNAIL" MAIL: PRINT OUT THIS ORDER FORM, FILL IN THE BLANKS, AND MAIL
> ALONG WITH YOUR CHECK, MONEY ORDER, OR CERTIFIED CASHIER'S CHECK PAYABLE IN
> U.S. FUNDS TO:
>
> NEOQUEST, INC.
> DEPT JE5
> 467 SARATOGA AVENUE
> SUITE 1425
> SAN JOSE, CA 95129
>
> (personal/business checks will be held 10-14 days for processing
> money order/certified check orders will beprocessed within 24 hours from the date received.)
>
>
> (#2) E-MAIL (U.S. only): "COPY" AND "PASTE" THIS ORDER FORM TO A NEW E-MAIL
> MESSAGE, FILL IN THE BLANKS, INCLUDING THE ADDITIONAL CHECKING ACCOUNT
> INFORMATION BELOW, AND E-MAIL YOUR ORDER TO: "NQorders@aol.com"
>
> CHECKING ACCOUNT INFORMATION:
> (e-mail orders ONLY)
>
> NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CHECK: ___________________________________
> (only if different than above)
>
> ADDRESS AS IT APPEARS ON CHECK: ________________________________
> (only if different than above)
>
> NAME OF BANK OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION: _________________________
>
> ABA/TRANSIT NUMBER: ________________________
> (9 digit number along bottom left of check)
>
> CHECKING ACCOUNT NUMBER: ___________________
> (be sure to include any spaces, etc.)
>
> NEOQUEST WILL ISSUE A BANK DRAFT AND DEBIT YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT FOR
> THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE. PLEASE ALLOW 10-14 DAYS FOR PROCESSING.
>
>
> ** NEOQUEST WILL ASSESS A $25.00 FEE FOR ANY RETURNED CHECKS.
>
>
> CHECK HERE [ ] TO REMAIN ON OUR MAILING LIST FOR NEW SOFTWARE RELEASES.
>
> THANK YOU FOR YOUR ORDER! WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
>
> Copyright (c) 1997 NeoQuest, Inc. All rights reserved.
-- Friar Broccoli Robert Keith Elias (Quebec, Qc, Canada) Address: kelias@CLIC.NET OFFLINE UseNet & Email READER: http://www.vex.net/yarn/YARN_092.zip--------- I consider ALL arguments in support of my views ---------