Using a standalone desktop app allows you to use encryption (PGP/GPG) while continuing to use hosted services like Gmail/Hotmail. In other words, you can again start treating networks as dumb pipes.
Have a disposable email address.
You don't have to fake the account just make one just for this purpose. Well, time you cannot fake but with just known value of time and many other unknown variables the equation and possible solution would be useless, practically.