Ever get a text message promising a free iPad? If so, it may have come from Henry Nolan Kelly, a spammer who sent out 20 million text messages promising electronics as part of a large-scale data-collection scam that netted him more than $60,000. But on Thursday, justice finally caught up with Kelly, as the Federal Trade Commission settled a series of complaints against the so-called “internet marketer.” The settlement requires Kelly to give back all the money gained in the scheme and cooperate with any future investigations.
Spam marketer fined by FTC for 20 million ‘free iPad’ texts
It’s a light punishment, since most of the $60,000 fine has been waived due to Kelly’s “inability to pay.” Still, it means a lot less spam on SMS networks, as Kelly is officially prohibited from any future marketing-by-text schemes. He has yet to give out a single free iPad.
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