I find myself a little in unknown territory! The Internet! I have access to many sites and as most of us women who spend a lot of time on these sites are looking for someone special! So we fall pray to unsuspecting victim's of the unscrupulous, who pry on our need to be loved and wanted.

I am talking about my experiences here and not matter how educated we become we still fall victim. I have now become very,very careful and so should you as soon as they mention wanting or needing monies from you run for the hills girl.

I recently met what I really thought was a nice guy (ok read on there have been a couple) I had met someone online and corresponded for some time - then he made an offer to come out to meet me wow was i ecstatic - so to my believe he flew into SA on a predetermined day. I had arranged accommodation or was busy arranging for him when he arrived. THEN I got a phone call to say that he had a problem when he arrived in SA - He had brought with him a gift for me and had been stopped at customs!

Well the gift was a uncut diamond or so he said and he was being held until he paid what he called a bribe!!!!! Wow stupid me had a friend trying to help from Johannesburg and I was stupid enough to even consider flying up to see what could be done to get his release. Little did I know the amount of trouble I could have gotten myself into - South Africa has very strict laws. I could also have found myself being what we call "a stool pigeon" which also could have landed me behind bars.

So he was so called departed however was also using his so called son to plead to me to help his father. So ladies beware - Internet is available and anyone can add an address and chat to you.

Then came along no 2 - he was working in Nigeria and did not have enough monies to fly to SA to meet me - He was only short about $200 however convert that into SA Rand and see what you end up with. So when I asked him is he was scamming me - wow did he get angry! So in my book guilty as charged.

And no three a similar set up however he was also working away from home and then when he was due to leave and come to SA he claims his son got sick which he made a fatal mistake in not telling me and he was once again awaiting his pay from Texas and was short. When I asked him where his travel insurance was that covers illnesses he could not answer. I have not given him any monies however got the little devil in me and decided maybe i should play him at his own game. He claimed he was stuck/lock in the hotel and his passport had been taken away. So I relented and asked him how much he needed as my next plan of action was to get the banking details - I can almost bet you it would have been some very strange account. Guess what NO ANSWER. So unfortunately I am not that desperate to realize that one cannot just love someone after an email or two.

And ladies please be aware and i know men will say it also happens to them but even local guys are trying it. I think we should have some data base set up with actually dates and figures for women's safety against these rouges.

I got an email yesterday asking me about someone I have been corresponding with here in SA and when I asked why she was looking for him GUESS WHAT!!!! she said love was blind and she had been conned out of an unknown to be sum of monies.

So to end off LADIES BEWARE - BEING CONNED BY A SHARK DRESSED AS A NICE MAN is very easy to fall for.

ps ( I know I am going to get moaned at but this also applies the other way around however I don't think it happens quite so much BUT that is my opinion)

I have just been online on facebook and could not believe that scammers have also started conning women on that site so again ladies keep your eyes open - if he looks to good then he probably is!