Another Asian ‘Sledgehammer’ of a Spam Fine

Under a proposed anti spam law in Vietnam, violators would face a maximum fine of 20 million Dong, according to online publication VietnamNet Bridge.

Guess how much that is in U.S. dollars. … Drum roll please … $1,250!!

This whopper of a fine comes on the heels of China announcing its first spam fine of $627.

We do not ever want to hear again that the U.S. isn’t serious about fighting spam when this country’s fines for unsolicited bulk commercial e-mail have run in the millions of dollars.

And before someone accuses us of being an ugly American and failing to take into account the differences of what a dollar will buy in those two countries, spam is borderless, remember? Chances are that guy in Vietnam can pop Bob in Pennsylvania for $29.95 for fake Viagra just as easily as he can get it out of a fellow citizen.

As a result, anyone in Vietnam and China who can afford a computer, some snake oil and a list of potential dupes can afford to ignore those fines.