Source: FortBendNow.com

I have been getting a deluge of spam comments to my various posts on this blog from a one Glory Johnson who goes by various nicknames. The most common nickname is “Glory39,” but the number is a moving target; “she” has posted as Glory342, Glory50, Glory34, and Glory38 among others. Well over 50 comments just today and they are still coming in. This is obviously a come-on for a scam, I’m just not sure what kind. I doubt that “Glory Johnson” is actually a female, nor does she have amorous intentions.
See what you think about the text of the comments. They are all identical, regardless of which version of “Glory” is posting them:

Hello
My name is glory johnson
i saw your profile today techtarget.com) and
became intrested in you,i will also like to know you the more,and i
want you to send an email to my email address so i can give you my picture for you to know whom i am.Here is my email address ( gloryjohnson001 at yahoo.com)
I believe we can move from here!I am waiting for your mail to my email address above.
glory.
(Remeber the distance or colour does not matter but love matters alot in life)
please contact me here ( gloryjohnson001 at yahoo.com)

I decided to play along and use one of my anonymous email addresses to appear to take the bait. Here’s what I sent to “her” email address:

Subject: I will like to know you the more
From:xxxxxxx
8:09 PM (16 minutes ago)
To: gloryjohnson001@yahoo.com
Hello,

You sent me this. I am wanting picture.

Hello
My name is glory johnson
i saw your profile today(techtarget.com) and
became intrested in you,i will also like to know you the more,and i
want you to send an email to my email address so i can give you my picture for you to know whom i am.Here is my email address (gloryjohnson001@yahoo.com)
I believe we can move from here!I am waiting for your mail to my email address above.
glory.
(Remeber the distance or colour does not matter but love matters alot in life)
please contact me here (gloryjohnson001@yahoo.com)

Unless this post has just tipped off the scammers, I’ll keep you posted on what transpires.

That’s a real world example, but the scam also happens in cyberspace. In fact, here is an actual notice I got from the administrator of a social network that I happen to be a member of:

I am posting this as a warning… not from this site itself, but as a caution about other members and all sites in general.

It has been brought to my attention that a member of this site has been
befriending other members, asking for their emails and pics of them …
and subsequently getting to the point of asking the member to invite
them to their home (by filling out a request and visa for them to come
to the states).

Any complaints of such on any of my sites will warrant immediate suspension… no warning.

THIS IS NOT appropriate behavior or etiquette for internet sites anywhere at any time.  Please do not give out your emails unless you are doing business with someone or you know them WELL ENOUGH to do so.
You are encouraged to use very wise judgment on doing anything that could
jeopardize your being.  Please be cautious of such requests.

Sincerely, [name not revealed for security purposes]

Does this sound familiar to you? Please warn anyone you know who is being scammed in this way.