Gregory Peterson - Nigerian Scammer

Here is an email we received from a reader who would like to share their experience in an effort to warn others. Here is the email about Gregory Peterson:
Hello
Thanks to a friend warning me about Nigerian Scammers (he had nearly been a victim himself) he put me onto your website. It wasnt long before I had my own taste of the scammer's art. Fortunately, as I was forewarned by your site, I knew what to look for and find it amazing that they rarely change their M.O. As soon as he mentioned Nigeria I was on guard. He supposedly spent 5 years at College??? and was born and raised in the USA (his use of the language doesnt say much for a college education), losing the parents, wife and goodness knows who else and raising the child on his own blah blah. He also never answered any questions I put to him but continued to pepper me with questions.

Following are some of the cringeworthy emails he sent me over the course of a few days:

How are you doing,my name is Gregory Petterson.I am very happy you gave me your e-mail,Well life is good & also fine. How is life treating you over there ? I am Originally from Illinois,USA. I moved to Victoria Melbourne,3 months ago for some important issues, I am willing to stay in Australia forever, if i can find a right woman of my dream. I don't have any plans of going back to USA any time soon. Currently as i write you, I am in Nigeria, Western part of Africa, I came here 4 days go for my business reasons. I import GEMSTONES, PRECIOUS STONES from Africa to Europe and some parts in North America. These STONES are used in making RINGS, BRACELETS, EXPENSIVE BEADS, AND SO MANY VALUABLE JEWELRIES. I am a retired Architect, I Stopped working as an architect when i lost my wife 5 years ago. May I start to know you from here please? As for me, I am humble, loyal, and devoted man who's looking for the same characteristics in a woman. Someone to share personal moments with, enjoy life and to firmly hold the blessings of a lasting and undying happiness. I am educated with high goals, morals, and integrity. I am looking for a serious relationship, no matter what age, as you know age is just a number. I'm looking for a lady who's open minded to have correspondence with. I'm a strong, straight forward, smart, and independent gentle man with many goals and lots of rive. I love to have fun and need a real woman by my side to hold it down with. I also need a woman who will take good care of me as her loving man. I need a woman with good conversation, intelligence, street smarts and one who knows how to treat a lady. I want to explore the world and do new things when I come home. I love warm weather,tropical drinks and sandy beaches. I like to party and have fun. I don't want no more drama in my life. I like romantic evenings and bedroom talk.I love to be among nice people. My father was a successful business man he was a contractor, I went to the Long Island University spent almost 5 years (studied Architecture),and after that i begin to work on my own. I want a secure foundation and loving woman for life,age is nothing to me, what that matters is love, care and open mindedness. I think we will need to learn about each other. I will love you to mail me tell me more about you.

He goes on to ask some basic questions then this:

Hello Princess,

The look of your eyes and that smile that you gave me,melted my heart away. Those smooth cheeks you have, oh, I wished I could've given you a kiss right away. As soon as I see your face, my knees go weak, my heart throbs hoping to feel you around me. Your body is perfection and to me it does not matter - interesting seeing he's never seen my body and we have never met!!

And also Thanks for the smile you gave me. I really felt so lightened inside that I melted. I could say nothing but to just stare at your natural awesome. I wish we could go out together one day and we could have our nights by the bay and that I could pour out my feelings to you. Thank you, you awaken me, deep inside. Even if you don't love me, I'll always wait for you and no matter what, you are in my heart... no matter what happens. I hope I'll be able to hold you in my arms and tell you that I love you. That's all I need from you. I love you and that's a promise.

At first I was confused, didn't really know what I wanted, I didn't know if I would want to take a chance again and actually take you seriously. So, I decided to come close to you as a friend and find out who you truly were and what you were like. You seemed cool, nice and funny some things I really liked in a woman. So I took a chance and got with you.

In the beginning, things didn't seem that well, I actually had my doubts about you. I wasn't sure you were actually taking me seriously. But, it was too late to look back; I had already fallen for you since the day I met you and I wasn't really looking forward to giving up too soon. I tried so hard to have you, I wasn't going to let you go so easily!

Well, time has passed and I have discovered new things and a new me. You have truly changed me. Still, in a way, I'm scared 'cause I am actually growing a true feeling inside my heart which I just cant explain, but I know it's there waiting for you to come and uncover it. I truly don't know what your feelings are but I don't want to force you in telling me what you don't feel towards me. I would want to receive love and trust from you when you truly mean it. All I ask from you is to show me you care and not hide anything, to also have trust in me the way I do in you.

No one in this world knows the feeling that I get when I talk to you. They have no idea about what you get my body to do when I hear your name or read that sweet mail of yours. Nobody has ever made me feel like the way you make me feel and that is such a crazy feeling. It feels like I just want to grab you and be in your arms forever and forever and never let go. I want to kiss your lips and never end - just keep going.

Every time I think about you, it gives me more and more strength with which to carry on my life. It makes me happy to be alive knowing that you have came into my life and all I know is that I want to be with you!

I am still on my knees begging for love, not to a stranger but to one I know ... you. I've been in love and know it's fun. Each night and day I hope and pray that you'll be mine forever more. I know it's hard to be heart broken before - giving your heart, body and soul, but know it's me that's on my knees swallowing my pride, begging you, please ... once again I say please; be mine.

And then comes the clincher - only took him 4 days:

---

From: gregorypetterson@hotmail.com
Subject: Please reply me ASAP My Love!
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2011 08:10:12 +0000

Hello honey,

How was your day ? I hope it was well. I just came back home from the Clinic to stitch and treat my foreheadand jeff is still at the hospital and he is in comma as i write to you, I was attacked by some armed men on my way to deposit some money into the account of the company that I want to buy the machines for my work from. The Criminals took my brief-case, and it was containing some vital documents and my MasterCard. They also went away with the car that I drive here in Nigeria. I reported the case to the Police headquarters here immediately,and I also called my bank in Austrailia to block my lost MasterCard, I also asked them to issue a new card and send it down here for me, but they said it would take about 8 days before it can be processed and sent down to Nigeria. My Love, I had to drop my International Passport, ID-Card and my Wrist watch with the Clinic security as a collateral, I told them that I will come back to pay them before 24 hours because they have refuse to treat jeff untill i pay deposit. My Dear, please help me!! There is no one I can ask for quick assistance but You. I have only you Darling,you are the closest person to my heart and I know you will not watch me suffer great pain. Honey, the Clinic bill is 900Australian Dollars, Vivienne,i promise to give you back your money as soon as I am well and balanced. Baby, I feel so lonely now and I need your tight hugs. Please Darling... write me as soon as you get this message.I'm crying bitterly now my love,please call me my love.

Your Sweetheart,

Gregory.P

Note the changes in the font!! And I was particularly touched by the fact that the letter was an obvious cut and paste!

I sent the following email almost immediately:

I'm surprised it took you so long to get around to this. Nigerian scammers are well known in Australia my dear and unfortunately for you the game is up. I have reported your name and email address to a site that warns other unsuspecting women of your fake emails. Don't contact me again and shame on you.

I hope you will be able to add him to your hall of shame and warn others. I've added a photo that he sent me. He was on Be2 and immediately withdrew his profile as soon as he made contact with me. His email address is gregorypetterson@hotmail.com. I was fortunate that my heart and funds were left unscathed but my heart goes out to the men and women who have been hurt and left broke by these creeps. Your site is doing a great public service so I hope you keep up the good work and happy hunting!

Blessing Kones, Nogerian Scammer's Email

I got this yet again from a Nigerian scammer. I am not on a internet dating site, have no profiles anywhere, and they assume I am a male. Of course they said they saw my profile on a internet dating site and how handsome I am. (Yeah, ok)
My dearest, I am writing this mail to you with tears and sorrow from my heart. With due respect , trust and humanity, i appeal to you to exercise a little patience and read through my letter i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business having gone through your remarkable profile, honestly i am writing this email to you with pains, tears and sorrow from my heart, i will really like to have a good relationship with you and i have a special reason why i decided to contact you. I decided to contact you due to the urgency of my situation. My name is Miss.blessing Kones, 27yrs old female and i am from Kenya in East Africa. Light in complexion, single( never married )but presently i am residing here in Dakar Senegal refugee camp. My father Late Dr Kipkalya Kones was the former Kenyan road Minister. He and Assistant Minister of Home Affairs Lorna Laboso had been on board the Cessna 210, which was headed to Kericho and crashed in a remote area called Kajong'a, in western Kenya. The plane crashed on the Tuesday 10th, June,2008. After the burial of my father, my stepmother and uncle conspired and sold my father's property to an italian Expertrate which they shared the money among themselves and live nothing for me. One faithful morning, I opened my father's briefcase and found out the documents which he have deposited huge amount of money in one bank in Scotland with my name as the next of kin because when he was alive he deposited some amount of money in a leading bank in Europe which he used my name as the next of kin. The amount in question is $3.8M(Three Million eight Hundred Thousand Dollars). I have informed the bank about claiming this money and the only thing they told me is to look for a foreign partner who will assist me in the transfer due to my refugee status here in Senegal. They also told me that my late father's instuction to the bank is that the money would only be release to me when I am married or present a trustee who will help me and invest the money overseas. I am in search of an honest and reliable person who will help me and stand as my trustee so that I will present him to the Bank for transfer of the money to his bank account overseas. I have chosen to contact you after my prayers and I believe that you will not betray my trust. But rather take me as your own sister or we can get married immediately i come to your country. My dearest, thing are very bad for me here in the refugee camp where i am living today. People are dying here day after day because of lack of food and poor medical treatment. Even one of us died last night and was buried today. I am afraid of what i am seeing here. I don't know who it will be her turn tomorrow. I was first year student in the university studying law before the ugly incident that killed my parents that put me in this horrible place i found myself toady. This place is like a prison as we are only allowed to go out on Monday and Friday of the week as given by the united nation rules and regulation here in Senegal. It's just like one staying in the prison and i hope by Gods grace i will come out here soon. n this refugee we are only allowed to go out two times in a week. Its just like one staying in the prison and i hope by Gods grace i will come out here soon. i don't have any relatives now whom i can go to and the only person i have now is Rev Chris Johnson who is the pastor of the (Christ for all Churches) here in the refugee he has been very nice to me since i came here but i am not living with him rather i am leaving in the women's hostel because the refugee have two hostels one for men the other for women. Please i want you to call me with our Pastors Tel number(00221-768-783-107) if you call, tell him that you want to speak with me he will send for me in the hostel to come and aswer your call. As a refugee here i don't have any right or privilledge to any thing be it money or whatever because it is against the law of this country. I want to go back to my studies because i only attended my first year before the traggic incident that lead to my being in this situation now took place Though you may wonder why I am so soon revealing myself to you without knowing you, well I will say that my mind convinc ed me that you may be the true person to help me. Moreso, I will like to disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country because my stepmother have threaten to assinate me and that is why I stop my studies and run away before I finally find myself in the united nations camp here in Senegal where iam living now. You will also help me to place the money in a more profitable business venture in your Country. However, you will help by recommending a nice University in your country so that I can complete my studies. It is my intention to compensate you with 20% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment. As soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above. I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. AWAITING YOUR URGENT AND POSITIVE RESPONSE . Please do keep this only to your self for now untill the bank will transfer the fund. I beg you not to disclose it till i come over because I am afraid of my wicked stepmother who has threatened to kill me and have the money alone ,I thank God Today that am out from my country (KENYA) but now In (Senega Refugee Camp)i thank God for the life of Rev as he has been helpful to me since i became close to him after his visitation to the clinic when i was sick in the camp. He has assisted me in several ways sending emails from his office. I have the documents for the claims. Yours Sincerely
Blessing Kones blessingkones22@yahoo.com

George Nicolas - Nigerian Scammer

From: George Nicolas <colasgeor@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 9:48 PM
Subject: GOOD TO HEAR FROM
To: X;

Dear X,

It's a pleasure writing you at this very moment. How are you today? I hope you are doing great? I am indeed very grateful receiving your mail. Am so sorry for not responding on time it was due to my busy schedule here with work. Before i proceed, let me introduce myself properly. My names are George Nicholas from Scotland but i live in Manchester England. I'm an offshore platform/Oil platform Engineer working with Chevron Oil Company. Hence, i am mailing right away from our ship in high sea. The nature of my job takes me to places.

Meanwhile, for a long time now i have not been in any relationship ever since the demise of my beloved wife due to my long absence from mainland. Oh! May her soul rest in perfect peace. I registered in this site recently in search of someone who is honest, caring, understanding and above all have a good sense of humor. Again, I’m not here for a fling or temporary relationship but a forever lasting relationship. Moreover, Age, distance and location should not be barriers to her because i don't mind relocating for the right woman. So my friend introduced me to this site in order to meet a good lady for a serious relationship.

As a matter of fact, your profile warmed my heart. You look so cute, decent and with this gorgeous picture of yours, i don't think i have the exact word to express myself at the moment .I am so interested in getting to know more about you. i was in South Africa during the World cup for just 2 weeks, but I promised my self that I would come back as the country was such a beauty not like what we used to hear {negative things} over the news about Africa. Well my second visit was on April during my holiday and I Visited your table mountain & Robben Island, wow what a memorable experience it was, though I still don’t know much about the country. But I got to know that South African ladies are good as regards to marriage, and here I am now chatting with you. Lol.

I really don't believe that distance matters, one can be in the same room with another and yet have no connection, while one can be on the other side of the planet and be close in heart, I believe we live in a "global" world and the entire world is "at our fingertips." So, I don't see geography as inhibiting relationships, but enabling them.

Due to the fact that i do not trust on outward beauty but on integrity and human relation, I would appreciate it if you can tell me more about yourself. I hope you'll give me the chance to get to know you better. Till i hear from you again.

Kind Regards & take care.

George Nicolas.

This is a photo pasted on the just Christian dating site. Greatful enough my instinct told me something is not right.

I have this guys telephone number and when calling him I could hear the Nigerian voice. Please warn all.

Email adds are colasgeor@yahoo.co.uk his mobile no 0044735963279

georgeo@contractor.net

his mobile no 0044735963279

Letter From a Reader -- Iraq Gold Scam

Hi,   I signed up for  a membership on "Match.com".  Big Mistake!  While on this site,
I  met an American solider by the name of Brian Gair.
He was a major,  and from  Maryland, so he said. He was stationed in Iraq.
When he would email me, his  word choice and sentence usage made me believe that he
was actually from some  country in Europe.  We viewed each other on a webcam.
He told me that he loved me.  Later, he told  me that he and some of his buddies had
found some hidden gold and money.  He  needed my help to get it out of the country.
All I had to do was to contact the  special UN courier that would be delivering
the package to me.    I needed to provide my name, address, etc and a copy of the
front page of my  passport to this man, who was Arabic.  Needless to say, I did not
do this.  I  told Brian that I felt uncomfortable doing this.  I also told him that
I wanted  to date someone closer to home.   This broke my heart.  I really liked him
and I miss chatting with him.  I know I  will never meet anyone with whom I felt so
comfortable with.  But, I could not  trust him.  Did I do the right thing?  I felt
in my heart that this was a scam  or something illegal that I did not want to get
involved with. was I right?


The answer to your question is YES, you did the right thing, and YES this was a
Major scam and a total lie. Try not to miss him or dwell on this, all of your
chatting was done as an effort to get you to like him and trust him, so he could
hurt you financially. No point in missing someone who had no real feelings for you. 

When in Doubt... Check them Out!

Dating is a risky business. You are letting yourself become vulnerable and giving your heart away to someone else. Are they worth the risk? Is there a way to minimize that risk? Are you having any doubts or nagging suspicions? Is your intuition nudging you and telling you to be careful, something may not be right?

When in doubt, check them out!

There are many sites, that for a small fee, will help you check them out and make sure their stories are true.Are they telling you they are single? Divorced? Have no criminal background? Why not make sure before you give your heart away? If you are going to invest time, energy and your feelings into someone why not make sure that someone is telling you the truth? of course we don't want to think they would lie. Of course we don't want to think we don't trust them enough and had them checked out. We may be afraid that if they find out, they will leave us.

Stop worrying about what they make think of you. If you were going to invest in a home, car, or anything else you would do your research. You would make sure you were not getting scammed or lied to. Do the same with your budding relationship before you jump in with both feet.

Internet dating has it's own challenges. People can claim anything and it may be hard for you to uncover the truth and you have to take them at their word. Sure, they say nice things and you feel a connection between you, but shouldn't you make sure they are who they say they are? Some internet romances may involve requests for money. How can you consider sending someone money but wont spend a small fee to find out if they are who they say they are? Look them up.

If there is no "joe blow" living in (insert town he said he lived in) that has no child named (insert name) you will have to face the reality that they are lying to you. If they said they are single but are showing up as married and NOT divorced, same thing. Don't you owe it to yourself to find out the truth? You owe more to yourself than this new person who entered your life. Play it smart, and lessen the risk of getting played.

Nigerian Online Dating Scams

The Nigerian Scammers are everywhere, they are in chat rooms, on MySpace, almost every dating website online, Facebook, tagged.com, you name it. The way these con artists operate is under the guise of wanting a mature long term relationship, that they are just "looking for love". In truth though, all they are looking for your MONEY.

The Nigerian relationship scammers are a big business, which is very lucrative, and is run just like a business. There is an office filled with people, who come to work to scam you out of your money. They operate with scripts, fake documents to use as "proof" and use each other to answer the phone or call you when need be.
They start off with some sob story about either being a widower, or their wife left them for another man. They usually say they have at least one child. They say all the right things, but you should be realistic and see that they are saying them ALL TOO SOON.


This is a business, they don't want to waste MONTHS getting a payout from you, the longest is usually 4-5 weeks and then they start asking for money. They claim to be businessmen traveling to Nigeria for work related issues, or simply say they work in Nigeria. (Some are getting smarter now and not even telling you it is Nigeria). They seem well educated, funny, caring, and pay you so much attention!

Once they profess their love and you return it, they know they have you hooked and the money scam falls into place. At this point they may either talk about needing money for plane tickets to come and see you (of course they will pay you back, they have the money, and often will offer proof that they do have it) and one of the many excuses is because they can't cash their check in Nigeria;the check is late; or it is coming any minute. Of course, when you go to the airport to pick them up, they never show, and while you are crying and upset, they either call and tell you they had missed the plane, there was a problem with their paperwork and weren't allowed to leave the country, or a sudden illness/accident occurred!

Now they need MORE money, and the scam continues until you stop paying. You would think after getting some money from you they would be on to the next, which is wrong. Their motto is "bleed them dry til they have nothing left". I cannot tell you how many people have become victims to this scam, and have been left with not just a broken heart, but in financial ruin as well.