Security experts say spammers and cyber criminals have already begun sending out holiday spam. The messages hawk fake goods and lotteries, offer info on President-Elect Obama, or temp job hunters and those worried about the economy with messages made to look like employment opportunities from major companies.

The shopping spam offers fake Rolexes and urges the recipient to start their Christmas shopping early. Similar messages promise a chance to win money for holiday spending. Some of the messages lead to phishing sites, others install malware and turn the recipient’s PC into a zombie machine.

Image spam appears to be remerging in holiday spam. This time the images are company logos in spam messages offering job opportunities. Spammers are taking advantage of the current economic turmoil and people’s job security fears in this particular holiday spam campaign. Other economy related spams include one claiming to be from U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and another offering a free DVD about President-Elect Obama’s plans to help the economy. Anyone who attempts to order it is prompted for banking info.

Lottery spams are also on the rise as scammers attempt to prey on those suffering financially due to the economy. The recipient is informed they’ve won a large sum of money in a lottery and all they have to do is either provide their banking info so that the money can be transferred to them, or in many cases, must provide their SSN and a fee for “processing”.

Spammers aren’t likely to let up soon; in fact researchers say spams and scams will continue to increase as the economic chaos continues.