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by chbrown 4376 days ago
It makes me sad that asking Google to fix their problem is the best solution Goldman Sachs can come up with. A few other options off the top of my head:

* DDoS the gmail account in question with spam, particularly spam that looks like it contains confidential information.

* Create a clever job ad on reddit, advertising a GS position in IT Security division by tracking down an email user supposedly played by a GS confederate, and then provide the gmail account in the ad

* Blackmail the unintended recipient, perhaps by sending the sort of data it's illegal in the U.S. to even own

* Mock the "From" header for thousand of typical spam messages with the gmail account address, send them to destinations that are sure to pass through Spamhaus & co.'s filters

* Fill the user's inbox to capacity; e.g., sign up for Quora with the gmail address in question

Certainly on the gray hat side of things, but asking Google to delete an email isn't exactly kosher to begin with.

3 comments

How on earth are any of the things you listed "gray hat"? Asking Gmail to delete an email you have sent by mistake may be a little unethical, but entirely legal. ALL of the ideas you have posted are blatantly illegal.
Bigger picture... this happened in any capacity. GS should be in serious hot water with somebody... perhaps even a government regulatory body.
While at one time, the bank's proprietors may have been clever, I suspect that these days they are much more accustomed to getting what they want by throwing their weight around.
Hahaha "sign up for Quora with the gmail address in question" - I see what you did there.