Cash-strapped young women turn to cyber begging websites

Cash-strapped young women are turning to “cyber begging” websites to raise money for everything from breast implants to university fees.

Promoted as an online alternative to begging on the street, popular site Begslist is filled with desperate messages from women posting racy images and asking for money.

Some even post their full names, raising security concerns, as reported in The West Australian.

One 18-year-old Australian woman posted a semi-nude picture, writing: “My rent has just risen and I’m in the negatives, I have no one to help me so decided to try this. Any amount and I’d be so great full (sic).”

Another asked for money to be “financially stable enough to move out and get my breasts done”.

Former Perth bank teller Natassia De Aguiar Iliou, 22, who admitted stealing $37,000 of elderly customers’ money reportedly used Begslist to attempt to raise $15,000 for legal fees.

But cybersecurity experts have warned the popularity of crowdfunding had led to some young people trying to exploit it.

There was no way to verify the stories people posted and those considering donating were advised to stick to reputable sites and not contribute any more than they could afford.