The world's oldest profession is now also one of the most technologically savvy. Gadgets like pagers and cell phones as well as the Web have made it easier than ever to buy and sell sex, police say.

But in court papers filed last week, Warthen's lawyers say her pending divorce from David Warthen, the co-founder of the online search engine Ask Jeeves, now known as Ask.com, has left her close to $100,000 short of being able to complete her plea deal.

As an American website curbs ads for erotic services, Helen Croydon tests Britain's appetite for cyber vice by advertising herself as a 'fun-loving blonde' “I thought the money would go higher, but I'm happy,” trilled the enterprising young student.