The self-proclaimed “king of spam” Sanford Wallace, has been ordered to pay Facebook, the popular social networking site$711 million for damages (U.S.). The suit claimed that the spammer registered as a Facebook user and started a spamming and phishing scheme which resulted in some 14 million violations under U.S. federal law.

The spammer has also been referred to the U.S. District Attorney’s office for criminal contempt because of his failure to attend scheduled hearings.

This ruling is the latest of several litigation victories in an effort to curb spamming through social networking sites, reported The San Francisco Chronicle.

“In November [2008], Facebook won a record $873 million judgment against a Canadian resident accused of sending more than 4 million bogus messages from members’ profiles, many advertising male enhancement drugs.

In 2008, Facebook rival MySpace won a $234 million judgment against Wallace and another Internet marketer, Walter Rines.”

However, Wallace filed for bankruptcy in June 2009. Facebook is therefore not expected to recover most of the damages awarded.

“While we don’t expect to receive the vast majority of the award, we hope that this will act as a continued deterrent against these criminals,” said Sam O’Rourke, Facebook’s associate general counsel. “This is another important victory in our fight against spam.”