Like many readers, I have been amused by scam e-mail - my American bank account needs 'verifying' or get in touch as I'm the sole heir to a fortune.
Earlier this year, my e-mail account was hacked, and an email sent saying we were on holiday in Italy, we had been mugged and all we had with us was our passports - the hotel manager wouldn't let us leave until we settled the bills.
Recipients were asked to send money, to help us get home. Most spotted the hoax, but there were those who wondered if it was genuine.
Some good friends were on the verge of sending money- but others warned them in time.
We received phone calls from friends in every walk of life in many different countries, the first being my brother in New Zealand. It was moving to know so many were concerned and we took more than 50 concerned phone calls.
I also received two messages from Nottinghamshire Police, one from the Chief Constable's office enquiring about our welfare, another warning others of the hoax.
Needless to say, it was necessary to change my password and make other safety adjustments.
Many people world-wide suffer from the criminal activities of scammers and many people don't report hackers because they are embarrassed.
Investigating hacking is now a highly specialised activity, to be dealt with by police forces nationally and internationally. We are reminded again policing can no longer be thought of only in a localised way.
I am reminded of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who preached around the British Isles and beyond during the 18th Century.
He said, 'The world is my parish.' He realised that changing people's ways could not always be challenged only at a local parish level.
In the same vein, criminality cannot be tackled from a local point-of-view alone, but needs to be dealt with on a world-wide setting.