A Sunday Times check of the classified sections on six websites found 15 appeals for loans from people unable to pay their bills.

One man, identified only as Daniel who lost S$70,000 (US$39,000) on the stock market and a failed business, said he turned to the Internet for help after being too scared to go through with a suicide attempt.

"I took a lift up to the 11th storey of my block intending to jump down. But when I looked down and saw how high it was, I thought it was too painful to end my life like that," he told the newspaper.

People seeking money through the Internet said even though they knew the chance of getting a loan from a stranger was slim, they would rather do that than turn to their family or risk going to a loan shark for help.

"Asking for loans from strangers is disgraceful, but when things come to the crunch, when there's little or no hope, I've got no choice," said 31-year-old Bill who needed $20,000 to cover mounting debts.

"There's no harm trying though, since putting up such a plea on the classifieds is free. Who knows, maybe there's a kind soul out there who is willing to help."

The ads did draw some response, but mainly from perverts and loan sharks.

Lee, a 35-year-old salesman asking for $1000 dollars received an e-mail message asking if he was female.

"There are more perverts here than sincere people," he said.

Jane, 37, desperate for $10,000 dollars to keep her furniture being auctioned off by two banks, said she had been swamped by e-mails from loan sharks.

"They asked for my mobile number and asked me to join a hire-purchase scheme which charged high interest."

She still remained hopeful a good Samaritan would come forward.

"I'm very desperate now. I've got to bank on my luck. If not, what can I do but live in an unfurnished home.

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