The Dutch OPTA (Independent Post and Telecommunications Authority) has imposed a Dutch ‘persistent spammer’ a fine of €250,000. This penalty is divided into 2 parts: €150,000 for sending spam e-mails and €100,000 for not sending a link to unsubscribe. Furthermore, a penalty of €5,000 per day is claimed for each day he continues to send spam e-mails. This amount may even reach a maximum of €100,000.
The spammer is called Reinier Schenkhuizen. According to OPTA, the man has sent at least 21 million spam emails. In 2005, he already received a warning from OPTA about sending spam. He didn’t pay any attention to this warning and therefore, OPTA was now forced to impose a fine.
The mails that he sent, contained advertising for the website adverterenisgratis.nl of Serinco Benelux, a sole business. The mails were sent via the Internet Promo Service of Serinco, an e-mail service that makes sure many e-mails can be sent simultaneously.
OPTA considers it normal that they have imposed a high penalty to Reineir Schenkhuizen. ‘Mr. Schenkhuizen already received a warning in 2005 but just went on by sending spam e-mails,’ says OPTA. ‘Furthermore, Mr. Schenkhuizen has sent e-mails for almost 5 years, which is a very long period. During this period 397 complaints were filed against him. We’ve considered all these factors in our decision,’ concludes OPTA.