One of the first phishers pursued by Microsoft was arrested under a federal indictment in Iowa this week, charged with sending email to MSN customers that directed them to a website masquerading as a Microsoft registration page asking for personal data, reports the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (via Techdirt). Microsoft had filed suit in 2003 against John Doe - which turned out to be Jayson Harris, 22, of Davenport, Iowa - and used the subpoena power in the suit to help identify him. It received a $3 million default judgment in the case but has not yet collected any money.

Harris was arrested Monday and charged with 75 counts of wire fraud. Each count carries a potential prison term of up to 20 years or a fine, said FBI spokesman Jeff Tarpinian. Microsoft earlier this year filed more than 100 lawsuits against other phishers whom it hopes to identify in the same way as Harris

Microsoft earlier this month announced a $7 million settlement with "Spam King" Scott Richter. Microsoft alleged that he used deceptive and illegal practices; he admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement.