Sounds like one of the existing email viruses - like the Klez virus - I am no computer guru, but I would think Norton antivirus (if current) should catch this - you might check to see if you norton antivirus program is configured to scan email when you are reading or sending email.  Also, if you use a program such as Outlook or Outlook Express, you might go in to the menu and turn off the item that allows for automatic download of attachments.  I received a large number of email viruses (fortunately caught and eliminated by my antivirus program) before I learned that the Outlook Express default setting is to automatically download attachments!  You would think it would be the other way around!

I'm certainly no techie, but I made a couple of changes 12-18mos ago & haven't had any problems since.  I've had both Norton & McAfee programs in the past, but now use AVG for virus protection.  It can be downloaded from the internet (let me know if you want the link) & set to run automatically at a certain time each day & will as well run each time you boot-up.  It will also sweep your entire system once it's downloaded & possibly clean an existing virus if found..at least it did for me; one that had gotten by McAfee.

I run Windows98 with Outlook Express & have changed the setting so that the default will not open any email unless I do so individually.  I also never open any email, with or without attachments, unless I recognize the sender.  

You might also do a google search for virus..many good sites are listed..you might be able to find info on "Let's be friends"..how it works & how to eliminate it.

That's about as much help as a klutz like me can give you.

It is not Klez or other worms.  they typically propagate by sending out malicious attachments using YOUR addressbook.

I did a quick search at symantec (creator of Norton AV) for "lets be friends",  it appears there is a hoax involving AOL members. check it out at symantec.com

Since you earn a living, I recommend you buy NAV (I think 2003 is the latest version).  It's $40 max (cheaper on the net).  After one year, RENEW your virus subscription updates and set live update to run at least weekly.

hope that helps, dear...

a virus does not send e-mails to "new" e-mail addresses that are not listed anywhere on your computer - but someone who has hacked into your computer or who knows your password(s) might.

to be safe:
1. change your password(s)!!!
2. make sure your norton is up-to-date and run a system scan
3. if you leave your computer connected to the internet for extended periods, have a firewall installed.

p.s. - i ran searches at several virus and hoax sites for "let's be friends". all came up empty.

good luck

I agree with the others who have said that currently known viruses will not send mail to addresses that aren't in your address book(s).  

You state that the message was sent "from your (my) addy".  Well, anyone can configure their email to show any name, email address, and reply address on the messages they send.  Behind the scenes, however, the "message headers" track a lot more information than is visible to the casual user.  If either of the other providers still have the messages they received, someone with a little expertise could perhaps trace them back to the IP address they were sent from.  If this persists, it might indicate a malicious impersonation and it would be helpful if anyone receiving such a message had it traced.

Try a quick online scan here:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Some of the recent worms mask their origin by setting the "from" field to an address in the address book.  So it's possible that you're not infected, but someone else who has your address in their address book is infected.

Use a big-name virus scanner to make sure your system is clean, and there's not much you can do for the infected system forging your email.

I am a techie, and Foo is exactly right.  Many current worms, including Klez variants, can spoof the return address from the real sending machine's address book.  In some cases the recipient can find out who the real sender is by looking at the "full header" of the offending email -- depending on the worm variant, the true sender's email address is sometimes revealed.  Unfortunately, you usually will not be able to see this if she forwards the note to you, since the header detail is stripped off in the forwarded note.

I am deluged with such emails.  It is pretty clear that some members of our community are not very careful about (this kind of) infection, and those of us in their address books suffer.  Actually, any of the major anti-virus programs should suffice, as long as the virus signatures are regularly updated (weekly is typical).  Symantic (Norton) now charges about $30/year for the update service, and you can configure it to run automatically in the background.

It sounds like Klez but you aren't infected, nor the person who got the message and sent it to you.  Someone with your email address is, or was.  Klez looks for email addresses in the address book at random and "appears" to send from that address.  I got an email from a corporate security manager, but the address looked odd.  I called her, we did some research and found the infected party.  

Large scale e-mailing: This worm searches the Windows address book, the ICQ database, and local files for email addresses. The worm sends an email message to these addresses with itself as an attachment.
Releases confidential info: Worm randomly chooses a file from the machine to send with the worm to recipients. So, the files with the extensions: ".mp8", ".txt", ".htm", ".html", ".wab", ".asp", ".doc", ".rtf", ".xls", ".jpg", ".cpp", ".pas", ".mpg", ".mpeg", ".bak", ".mp3", or ".pdf" would be attached to the email messages with the viral attachment.

Bottom line is someone in your email chain is probably infected.  They are also in contact with the other escort.  

Would be good to run Norton Anti-Virus 2003. My ATF anti-virus

You arent necessarily infected. It could be someone else who has your email address in their address book, and the virus randomly picked your addy as the forged return address.

Make sure you are running anti virus software set to scan both incoming and outgoing email. I like Norton Antivirus. And have it automatically download new definitions every week.