In the wake of Hurricane Katrina some cyber-scammers are looking to take advantage of the many people who are ready to open their wallets to help.

Even before the hurricane hit, Internet sites with Katrina in the name began popping up. Some of the fake appeals for money pretend to be real aid organizations. One site, for example, is virtually identical to that of the American Red Cross.

Emails have been sent to millions of Internet users directing them to bogus sites and asking them to donate with their credit cards.

"It is outrageous what they to doing to the American citizens who are giving their hard-earned money to help people who very desperately need their help," says Mary O'Connell of the American Red Cross.

"There is no question in my mind they are the lowest of the low."

The site pretending to be the Red Cross has been traced to Brazil. Other bogus sites have been traced to South Korea and China. In the United States fraud charges have already been laid against a Florida man who set up several websites asking for donations.

The scams were not unexpected. No sooner did the flooding start, than the RCMP issued an alert in an effort to stop the scammers. Some fear that real charities will suffer.

"I'm appalled at those kinds of things, I think we all are," said John Clayton of Samiritan's Purse.

"But I would just encourage the Canadian public not to be overwhelmed by that or be discouraged, but to find an organization who they can align themselves with.

The Canadian Red Cross is advising anyone who gets an email not to follow the link provided, but to double-check the Web address and to type it manually.

Dan Hubbard, senior director of Security and Technology Research at Websense Inc., says that generally, major charities and relief agencies do not send out individual email appeals. He advises those who want to donate to either go directly to an agency website, or pick up the phone and call.