They make their pleas for help on the Internet. Some are struggling single moms or recent college graduates loaded down with student loans and maxed-out credit cards. Others are childless couples seeking treatment for infertility. One site even makes a pitch for a cat named Buster.

The tales of woe vary. But the request is the same: They want people to send money or help by way of the Internet. They call it "cyberbegging"or "Internet panhandling".