Just like market evolution, when a market or potential area being target get saturate, it migrate to another for potential growth.

If north American and European internet user becomes aware of Phishing, emerging countries becomes the next target.

Scam artist don't die, they just evolve and migrate.

I am getting more than ever bank phishing attempts on my .com.au this year than ever before. Last week also an attempt to get my ATO details.

It must be a regional variation, or maybe the hackers are diverting their attacks more to non-USA now?

With the subsequent push back on ISP's allowing phishing and other illicit activities, it appears that this kind of activity has reduced.

Now, If we can filter out more mass mis-directed email I would be even more happy.

I really hope all those virus makers and phishers and people doing all sorts of stupidity burn in hell though.

Phishing artists are probably switching over to creating rogue antivirus software instead. It's much easier, and less illegal to get someone to send you money by putting an "antivirus" program on their computer which does nothing besides annoy the end user and ask them to pay for it.