Several years ago the local paper reported on a guy who made quite a bit of money running a classified ad stating simply: "Time is running out on your limited opportunity to send your personal check or money order for $9.95 to...." and gave a post office box. No offer or hint of a product or service at all, just an instruction to send the money to the address. Apparently quite a few folks did mail in the $10. Many of these complained when whatever it was they thought they were ordering failed to arrive. An investigation for mail fraud was instigated but the case against this guy collapsed when the judge asked the prosecution just what it was that the "customers" expected to receive for the $10 and what did the guy promise that he failed to deliver.

This particular piece of spam seems to be a variation on the theme. If you read through it you will find that there is nothing at all that even hints at the identity or location of the company that is to provide the software and the "year of support" nor is the title of the promised software given. There is only the vague reference to "This Privacy Technology Software" that these completely unidentified people promise to provide download access to as soon as you fax them your credit card number and signature. I will give these people credit for one thing though. They certainly seem to be experts at covering their own tracks. I imagine that fax number would trace to a motel room registered to "John Doe". I also imagine this guy stands to make a pile of money running up charges on the cards of the people foolish enough to fax him both number and signature. That and selling to other spammers the "Sucker List" of idiots who replied to the obvious fraud.