Brightmail issued its report on the most common spam messages of 2003 (with example subject lines). This is news, of course, only to those of you who have especially good spam filters or don’t have email at all .
1. Subject: Get Bigger, 100% Proven Results
The market for body part enlargement has apparently not been saturated. Spam messages offering these products and other “adult-related” products and services were the most prevalent in 2003.
2. Subject: Re: You can order PAIN MEDS, Anti-depressants, Weight Loss Meds Online
Offers to purchase prescription drugs of all varieties – from prescription pain relievers to HGH to sexual performance enhancing drugs – were also among the most visible in 2003.
3. Subject: Needs your assistance
The “Nigerian Hoax” and its many iterations of it were still among the most popular spam messages being circulated, despite the fact that it’s a well-known hoax.
4. Subject: Mortgage rates/refinancing — Mortgage rates at 40 year low
With interest rates hitting an all-time low in 2003, it’s not surprising to see mortgage-related spam and offers for other types of financing were among the most commonly sent messages.
5. Subject: Print Ink – Act Now, save 85% on all ink cartridges
Offers for inexpensive printer cartridges were still a frequent sight among spam messages.
6. Subject: Iraqi Most Wanted Cards – These WILL sell out!
The war in Iraq and the recent capture of Saddam Hussein sustained the momentum of this spam message in 2003.