Spammers exploit Pope's death

Spammers are using the name of the late Pope Jean Paul II to provoke interest in a get-rich-quick scheme.

Security experts have discovered a recent influx of spam emails that promise free books, supposedly written by the late pontiff. The emails contain a hyperlink, which when opened takes the user to a "free money-making secrets" Web site, with no mention of the Pope.

"Spammers are prepared to plumb the depths in their attempt to get Internet users to buy their goods or services," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. "The Pope's death has been mourned by millions around the world, yet for the spammers it's just another opportunity to sell their unwanted wares."

Pope John Paul II was buried in Rome on Friday.

Sophos claims that earlier this year the same group of spammers used a similar scam offering bogus copies of the next Harry Potter book.