Tsunami Prompts Online Outpouring (washingtonpost.com)

Tsunami Prompts Online Outpouring (washingtonpost.com): "Tsunami Prompts Online Outpouring
By Robert MacMillan
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Monday, January 3, 2005; 10:08 AM
The Internet performed at the top of its game since the Indian Ocean tsunami struck last week, prompting unprecedented amounts of giving and kindness from people around the world. But even as it brings the immediacy of the disaster home to readers around the world, it also is providing opportunities for cons and questionable information.
The cruelest case is that of Christopher Pierson, 37, who pleaded guilty to sending more than 30 e-mails to friends and relatives telling them that their loved ones were confirmed dead after the tsunami hit on Dec. 26, Reuters reported. 'Pierson is accused of posing as a British official from the 'Foreign Office Bureau' in Thailand in his emails. All the messages came from one bogus email address, ukgovfoffice@aol.com.' The friends and family had posted details on the missing tourists at the Sky News Web site. 'Sky News said it was 'disgusted' that its Web site had been abused and contacted police as soon as it found out,' Reuters said. "