‘Spam King’ denied bail in Internet fraud case

SEATTLE – A man accused of defrauding people through tens of millions of spam e-mail messages sent around the world was denied bail Wednesday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Donohue said one of his concerns was that online crimes such as those charged against Robert Soloway – dubbed the “Spam King” by federal investigators – can be committed anywhere at anytime.

With minimal ties to Washington state and family in Sweden, Donohue said Soloway, 27, of Seattle, could be a flight risk.

“These are allegations of cyber crimes that have no geographical borders,” Donohue said. “It’s just as easy to continue these actions in Sweden as it is in the United States.”

Soloway will remain in jail without bail until his trial, which is scheduled for August 6.

Soloway was arrested May 30 on 35 charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering. Mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The government is also seeking $773,000 as proceeds of Soloway’s activities.

Soloway’s attorney, Richard Troberman, wrote in a court filing that the government’s evidence that Soloway would flee was “woefully short on facts.” Soloway has only traveled out of the country with his parents, Troberman said.