Virtual beggars on the rise?

This morning my RL wife complained to me about the number of IMs she has received in SL begging for Linden dollars (L$). She says that some will give her a small amount of L$ like 1 or L$5 and then ask her if she can “spare some change.”

In the 6 months and 10 days I’ve been in SL I don’t recall having even one unknown avatar hit me up for Lindens, has anybody else reading and/or in our VTOR group?

Imagine setting up a blind avatar with a dog. Or a guy with a guitar on the corner and a script which sends out begging requests? This could draw a disturbing parallel considering how can an avatar truly be indigent? Sure they can be low on Linden dollars, but you don’t have to eat in SL. It’s not like being poor in RL.

How do you feel about this issue?