Spammers know no shame.

A security vendor Monday said that spam playing off the recent death of Pope John Paul II actually leads respondents to a get-rich-quick Web site.

The spam, said U.K.-based security firm Sophos, arrives with a graphic touting a free collection of books written by the former pontiff, who died April 2 at the age of 84. The e-mail claims that recipients will receive the free books by clicking on a link, which in fact takes the user to a site offering "free money-making secrets."

"Spammers are prepared to plumb the depths in their attempt to get users to buy their goods or services," said Graham Cluley, a senior technology analyst with Sophos, in a statement. "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."

The same bunch, said Cluley, spammed mailboxes in February with a bogus offer of J.K. Rowling's next Harry Potter novel. Like the Pope John Paul II ploy, that spam led recipients to another Web site. Rowling's works were also the target of a phishing campaign in February.