Spam e-mails are considered SEO?

I have received so many spam e-mails as of this moment, until now...for an average of 50 to 100 in my Yahoo e-mail. That's why I have subscribed to hundreds of programs that offers free download of hundreds of digital products that are being auctioned online. I also received many e-mails to promote their HYIP (High Yield Investment Program) and income schemes that will make me possible "rich guy"? I could believe it, but I'm still not yet ready for that because most of them needs payment in order to be enrolled in the program. This is another way of doing SEO? Definitely not, this is what we call e-mail marketing. E-mail messages with links of your site will not let you generate backlinks, but only for promotional purposes and referral credits. It's not SEO what I think, because the receivers can delete and trash the e-mail anytime, and considered spamming around the corner.