Why is there still spam, today?

[Steven]

Why isn't Spam(and the 419 scam) declining. OK, it is 1998 and I get a spam message and completely fall for it and lose my identity or some other crime. Naturally, I would spread word to everybody I know to keep them from repeating my mistake. That should dry up the customers of spam and the 419 scam. I assume that lots of victims would do the same for the people new to computers and email and other online devices. Without victims, the spam would slow to a crawl and eventually stop. When someone today, gets a computer or other device, he or she can get advice as to these threats from the previous victims(In 1998), I had no victims to get advice from). Today’s victims would learn before hand about scams from the media. and they would steer clear of them. Today, I am still getting lots of spam, at the same rate as 10 years ago. Someone I know in 1998 actually answered a phony password request, because she was new to it. Today, she would simply delete it.(lost customer for spam)

[chris b]

Easy, much easier to send out multiple spam today than before. Send out 4-5 million requests, get one sucker, retire on the proceeds - still easy