I hadn't been checking my blog for messages, because I didn't think I was going to get any. I recently discovered a message in my blog mailbox that had been sitting there unopened since early November.

As I read the message my first thought was that it was a scam of some kind, but I found that I was wondering about the lives and circumstances of people who initiate such scams. I sent a reply saying that we were looking for different things in a relationship (:>), but there was still this curiosity about people who live outside society's rules, who dwell in undergrounds of various kinds.

I eventually did a search, and found that the person who sent me a message was indeed a known scammer, and I even got to read examples of romantic and sexual messages he had sent to others. I was surprised that he was still using the same email address and IM id, but I suppose that not everyone with a blog Googles every person who sends them a message.

Since I replied, profile info and a photo have been removed from his blog. I read through searches that romance scams usually involve using photos of models (without the permission or even knowledge of the models).

I guessed that I had been targeted because of my age, loneliness, etc. I suppose I should feel insulted that I might come across as desperate, pathetic, gullible enough to fall for a scam, but I have to admit that I find the whole thing kind of amusing. I don't need to be told that I need to 'get a life'.

Is it my duty to give as many details as possible to warn others about this person? To me, it seems obvious that it's a scam and I would wonder why that would be necessary. As for catching this person or punishing him (or the group of people who create or contribute to an identity), I have less interest in that than in knowing how someone's background prepares them for such a life or career.

Anyway.. the holidays here are quiet. If there is anyone out there taking the time to read this...

Hi.