The State of New York has launched action against three companies, including one run by Scott Richter, a man they say is the third most prolific spammer in the world. Microsoft has also joined the fray, saying it will also launch actions, because the spammers sent thousands of messages to Hotmail. The spams were relayed via unsecured servers overseas. The New York attorney general reckons his goal is to make sure the three companies are put out of business.

As might be expected the three companies are all saying it wasn’t them. At least one already seems out of business, with one of its owners filing for bankcruptcy protection.