Is anyone else starting to get messages that are blatantly from scammers?

It doesn't take a genius to see that super-hot women (with semi-naked photos) that instantly want my e-mail address and phone number are full of crap!

Why do they even bother trying? Are people really that gullible?

Yeah, I want you sending me all kinds of spam and trying to get me to go to your "sexy web-cam" for the fantastic, bargain price of just £12 per minute!!

AAAAHHHH!!!!!! Leave me alone.

I recommend keeping a disposable email address, to which you have no real attachment, to reply to people to whom you suspect are scammers. AOL will furnish you with one if you can provide them with an American ZIP code (rummage for one via Google).

If they are after a phone number give them a premium rate number that belongs to a charity ...

Why do they do it? Because they hope that with enough messages they will find vulnerable people - desperate, lonely blokes prepared to stump up money are apparently quite valued.

It does appear that we have recently drawn the attention of the 419 scam crowd, see http://www.419eater.com/html/419faq.htm for more details.

It hasn't caused me any real hassle, as I'm never going to give out an e-mail address to anyone unless we've been in contact for a good long time.

It's just very annoying when you go "ooh, a new message.. cool" and it ends up being a complete waste of time!!