Beware Internet Lovers Bearing Gifts

*pensive look*
*look of disgust*
*deep sigh*

By now, most all of us on the Internet have heard of the now infamous Nigerian scam artists. These modern day pirates and charlatans have pillaged and scammed their way across the globe and cast a dark veil on Africans everywhere.

It was revealed during last night's Dateline NBC episode of "To catch an i.d thief" that a Nigerian man who calls himself "Michael" was at the core of the Wendy Kenson persona who had been luring American man, Jeff Ball with the promise of love and marriage into the lurid business of identity theft and trafficking stolen goods. Now, Jeff was no saint in this since he is married and had intended to leave his wife to be with "Wendy", but nonetheless Jeff was duped into believing Wendy really loved him and was planning on a life with her. Jeff dutifully shipped the ill-gotten wares to Africa using his own money never realizing that he was a pawn in an international identity theft ring. We, also, see from last night's story, two unsuspecting American women on opposite sides of the country who had fallen victim to a London man who was using both women as "package drops" with the promise of love and marriage.

And so, I say, beware Internet lovers bearing gifts for they are the devil, indeed. During Chris Hansen's investigation in Benin and Nigeria you see a glimpse of those tawdry Internet cafes jam packed with African men intent on luring innocent people into their web of destruction using fake profiles and stolen pictures. You see that's why I have my screen name blazoned across my forehead on my profile pictures to lessen the chance that it might be stolen and used to lure an unsuspecting man into God knows what illegal shenanigans.

If you or someone you know are involved in a long distance, international Internet only never met the person in real life romance, you might want to consider if the person on the other side of that photo is REALLY who they say they are. If they refuse to even hook up a webcam and show themselves true, then RUN the other way as fast as you can because it's mostly like a scam artist bent on stealing your heart and your money.