The more I read about Natalie Dylan, the 22-year-old college student who is auctioning off her virginity, the more I'm beginning to suspect it's part of an elaborate hoax.

I don't think Ms. Dylan is planning to have a one-night stand for money to pay for her education. I think it's a publicity stunt.

From a story in an Australian newspaper, The Herald-Sun, that claims an unnamed 39-year-old Australian businessman is now the highest bidder for Natalie's chastity:

She was inspired in the bizarre money-making scheme by her sister Avia, 23, who lived comfortably during her own degree course after working as a prostitute for just three weeks.

"I was quite shocked at the time when Avia told me she was prepared to sleep with people for money," said Natalie.

"But Avia was determined to raise some money quickly and she researched it all and told me how it could be done safely through a legal brothel.

"She is very beautiful and confident and so she attracted a lot of clients and made several thousand dollars in just three weeks."

Natalie began researching prostitution for her own degree course, as well as how virginity was prized in different cultures.

"I looked at other cases of where women had been paid for their virginity and realised that men were willing to pay large sums in return," she said.

Do you get the idea that it's an academic exercise? Don't you think that Ms. Dylan is planning to write her thesis on the subject or probably a book? Can film rights to her story be far behind?

And what's with the racy photos of Ms. Dylan circulating around the Internet? How many college students post these kind of photos online unless they're trying to get publicity?

I think Ms. Dylan has had her 15 minutes of fame.