Michael Butler - Nigerian Scammer from internet dating site

Here is a letter from a reader who met a Nigerian scammer on Match.com. Here is the story and the scammer's info so you can all avoid him like the plague:

Here is how he started with me back on November 12 2011...He claimed to be an Architect living in San Francisco making a trip to work on a 5 Star Hotel In Benin. He said he couldnt get at his funds yet, and asked that I send him $200 Western Union to a man he said was a business partner named Henry Morgan in Nigeria.

He always had a reason that he couldnt fly back to San Francisco, and he always had some reason he needed me to send more money promising to pay me back more then I ever sent him.

Once this hotel remodel was finished he said he also had an import export business dealing oil, and he would have to stay over there even longer. Beggged me to send more money. He gave my cell number to another partner Greg Richardson. He was terribly rude and I would yell at him on the phone and get him all worked up. He ended up calling Michael and I both liars and stopped calling and texting me after I threatened to change my cell number. Just a team of horrible people working the Match dot com website.

I have phoned Match and sent complaints about this idiot.

He always sends sappy love letter emails. He like to send music videos of his favorite band Westlife, the song

Flying Without Wings, He is sometimes really hard to understand on the phone because of his thick accent which he claims is French, I bet it is Nigerian now that I know better. I told him he lacked verbal skills and not to call me because he is too hard to understand.

Here are some of his flowery emails :

From: Michael Butler
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 11:30 PM
Subject: Changes...

Life is so unpredictable. Changes always come along, in big or small ways. I don't know what happened that this sudden change has turned my world upside down. I don't know exactly what it is, it just hit me, but there is something really special about you.

It might be all the things I see on the surface, the things that everyone notices and admires about you, qualities, capabilities and a wonderful smile obviously connected to a warm and loving heart; these things set you apart from everyone else. But it may also be the big things ... the person you really are that I hope to know more someday. And it might also be the little things ... the way we talk online for hours as if we have know each other for a long time. I'll receive so much joy just being able to see a smile in your eyes. If I ever figure out the magic that makes you so special, I'd probably find out that it's a combination of all these things. You are a rare combination of so many special things. You are really amazing.

Inside of me there is a place where my sweetest dreams reside, where my highest hopes are kept alive, where my deepest feelings are felt and where my favorite memories are safe and warm. I find that you're on my mind more often than any other thought. Sometimes I bring you there purposely just to make my day much more brighter. But more often, you surprise me and find your own ways into my thoughts. There are even times when I awaken, I realize that you've been a part of my dreams. Then during the day, when my imagination is free to run, it takes me into your arms and allows me to linger there knowing there's nothing I'd rather do. I know my thoughts are only reflecting the loving hopes of my heart because whenever they wander, they always take me to you.

Only the most special things in my world get to come inside my heart and stay. And now, I realize how deeply my life has been touched by you.

Have a wonderful day...

Michael

From: Michael Butler <pohkerdot@yahoo.com>;

Sent: Fri, Dec 30, 2011 11:08:29 PM

I know I am in love because I see you no matter what I am doing. I know I want to be with you, not just with you, but share everything with you. Just being close to you is not enough for me. I want to be a part of you. A part of your life forever. I never have to wonder if you love me. You complete me, my mind, my body, my heart, and my soul. You're my best friend, my lover, and my soul mate. You have been there and supported me like no other has before. I'm lost without you. I love you more then life itself. There are no words that I can say to truly tell you how much I really love you. I couldn't picture myself without you in my life. You are perfect for me in everyway possible and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You give me reason to strive for more. I learn more and more from you every day. My heart is forever yours. I know saying I love you is a powerful, yet I feel it's not enough. It feels great to actually love and be loved in return. My life was a wreck before now. I never thought it would change, but you came into my life and everything took a turn for the best. You show me the value of life. You give me the most amazing feelings inside. I know we have only known each other for a short time now, but I know our love will last a lifetime. I can't wait until I am your husband. I love you with all of my heart. I am forever yours, Sweetheart. Michael

From: Michael Butler [mailto:pohkerdot@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 4:34 AM
Subject: Invitation...

My Lady,

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living, I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing. It doesn't interest me how old you are I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love for your dreams for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon...I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain mine or your own without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy mine or your own if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful be realistic to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another

to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty every day.

And if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure yours and mine

and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes."

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up

after a night of grief and despair weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire,with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Good morning my lady, I hope you slept well

Michael

Leonice Colman - is Stupider Than I Thought

I heard from the lovely and fake Leonice Colman today, who is obviously so stupid "she" did not realize she wrote me yesterday. Today Leonice must have gotten plastic surgery because she sent a picture again and is a completely different woman. She again acts as if my profile is on a dating site, which it is not, and still thinks I am a male. (Which I am not). Here is Leonice's latest email, her new fake photo and my comments in purple:

Hello
I found you very attractive and would like to contact you (which you did yesterday and without x-ray vision I would like to know how you found me attractive as my picture is no where on the internet.)

for a possible relationship. please I'm not in the age

problem, I like you and if you give me how to send

me your e-mail address so I tell you more

about me. (Idiot you have my email address, that is how you sent this message to me moron)
Meanwhile is my e-mail (leonicecolman27@yahoo.com)
Leonice

Leonice Colman - Nigerian Scammer and idiot

This email came to me out of the blue from a Nigerian scamming idiot. They claimed to have gotten my profile and email from an internet dating site. (I have never had a profile on ANY internet dating site) She also thinks I am a male. Once again, they are an idiot. Here is the email from Leonice:
My Dearest In Love,
I am more than happy in your reply to my mail. How are you over there in your country? I hope fine. My name is Miss Leonice Colman. I am 23 years old but age is not matters what matters is love and understanding, i am a second year medical student before the incident that lead to my being in this place. I am hoping to further my education in this career. I am not married and don't have children. I am chocolate in complexion and of average height, my picture will explain to you better.
I am from Liberia in west Africa and presently i am residing in the refugee camp here in Dakar Senegal as a result of the civil war that was fought in my country .
My late father Dr Dave Colman who was one of the most successful entrepreneur in my country and my mother was a senior accountant at the Eco Bank Of Liberia, before the tragic war which claim their life and now living me as an orphan and i was the only child so i managed to make my way to near by country Senegal where i am seeking asylum now. I haven't finish up my education and i need a man who will make use of my fathers wealth and get me through in life.I would like to know more about you.Your likes and dislikes. Your hobbies and what you are doing presently.
I will tell you more about myself in my next mail, here is my picture for you, though I am not all that photogenic, i hope you wouldn't mind i will like to see your photos,
I wait to hear from you soonest,
your baby Leonice

Kelly Love - Nigerian Scammer

A reader sent us 2 emails from "Kelly Love" (what an obviously fake name). First is his introduction letter, and then his money request.

From: Kelly Love <klove197@yahoo.com>
Subject: More About Me
To: "XXX">
Date: Thursday, December 15, 2011, 6:26 AM

Hello Dear,

My name is Kelly Love.. /Caucasian. I'm Self Employed Structural Engineer studied the course Structural Engineer with a Master Degree, I have a good sense of humor. I live inAtlanta GA, USA Age (60yrs).I'm a widower been widowed for 8 yrs now. I have just only 1 lovely son (Paul)(19 years old). After the sudden and devastating death of my wife, Who was a wonderful, sweet and caring wife and mother..Have been single for the past 8 years, am a man with a strong heart, loving, caring,honest, compassionate, affectionate, i also believe in God. I like swimming, camping,fishing, reading & writing, tennis, Football, Basketball, Baseball, golf, swimming etc,Thanks for your email. I feel so happy and contented to read back from you. Well , I said a little about myself on the website and in my first email to you on the site. My Believe is that there's one woman out there that can help me find that Love and affection again..Someone who is Understanding,Kind,good sense of Humor,Loving,caring, honest,sincere, passioniate and affectionaite ,The Bible says" Seek the Kingdom of God first and every other thing shall be added on to you" I've sort the kingdom so i'm waiting for one of my other things thats my Dream woman and i believe when i have a woman that is honest and caring,she wouldn,t hurt my feelings and emotion which i have for her.Most people doesn't know what it take to hurt anothers once feelings and emotion and how it feels so i'm not into playing games. I enjoy my job. I do work for firms, for government buildings and some huge companies.I have lived in Atlanta all my life. Paul ( my son ) goes to college here in the city, he goes from home. you know what it takes to be together for over 18 years now and wouldn't love to miss each other so much. He lives here in my house with me. I drive a 2010 Toyota Camry, well i was the only son of my parents so i was so close to them but you know they,died while i was 12 years old and i never had the chance to get that special care from them for so long. i used to live with my father's uncle who treated me so hard, i had to work to fund my self to school back then, i was fortunate to get a scholarship who helped me through school. I lost him too on the way and it become so hard for me but i thank God who i am today .i haven't had much care in my life , when my wife came into my life to show em that care my parents was unable to show me , i lost her too .. So here i am now, wishing and hoping you would give me all that care i have always longed for. My grandparents were Irish.My favorite color is blue (Sky Blue),I do like country music, I like romantic and historical movies. Sunday is one of the day i dont like , i lost my mother on Sunday and i lost my wife too on Sunday , so i dont feel so much happiness on that day. I have always been with my son for so long and we are very close.Basically that's all on me for now unless if you're willing to know more,then you can ask!.meanwhile i'll love to know more about yourself also....Well thats if about me and Looking forward to hear from you soon

I care,

Kelly

From: Kelly Love <klove197@yahoo.com>
Subject: ACT FAST MY LOVE
To: "XXX">
Date: Friday, December 23, 2011, 12:14 PM

My Dearest Love,

Am very happy. I am very glad to know that you are still with me in this hard time and I feel very happy to find out that someone truly loves me for who I am and not for any other worldly reason.I am going through alot of pains at the moment and i cant withstand it for much longer, Please love i don't want you to think i am imposing myself on you but i think a friend in need is a friend in deed..Am a man of my words and of high ethics and scruples and wont go back on my word.I have given you my word back of repayment and trust me i wont let you down if you take this step of faith to see me through this..I will be ever grateful to you forever as well as my son(Paul)..I hate to see him go through this with me..His well being and happiness means alot to me and i believe if you help me get this sorted out,everything will be fine.

I want you to understand that I am doing everything possible to recover on time here. The doctor has promised that he is going to help me get the money out once you send it via Western Union. He however said that I can't leave the hospital premise yet and that it will be collected by the hospital cashier if only you send it to the name MARY RICHARD,He said is that you split the money and send it twice in 2 different Western Union Wallmart store. He said there are usually problems when people want to send large sums of money at once. Since he has had several cases like his, he said there is no problem. you just need to help go to a Western Union Walmart store like 10 miles away. So, the person you are sending to now is:

Here is the info

MARY RICHARD

87 READING AVE

IKEJA LAGOS 23401

NIGERIA

So as soon as you get the funds sent , just send me the Western Union details. Information's that i need on Western Union will be 1.Mtcn number its will be on the receipt given to you at Western Union for the both transaction..2...sender's name and address 3...Total amount you sent down here for the both transaction 4...Text question and answer for both transaction so i can get it as soon as possible. I cant withstand the pain my love

I await your response. I love you.....

Kelly

Stephen Michaels - Nigerian Scammer

Here is an email from a reader that requested we post it here:
My name is Deborah, and three months ago I met a man claiming to live in England, Manchester and named Stephen Michaels. He was 52 years old, was a widower and owner of a shop "BELLA HOUSE OF FABRICS." I am a well-informed person, work hard, am a teacher and exchanged a few emails, and talk when meet the Internet. Turns out there five days he said he would go to Nigeria to work and then come to Brazil.


Yesterday he contacted me to say it was stolen, who pointed a gun at the head of his daughter, Anna, and took all their money. Argued that he should seek the British consulate, but in return "Stephen" told me that nothing could be done.



I began to suspect. In fact he called me a lot of attention is always asking about my son, today I wanted to know information to blackmail me. I need you to put this on the website so that other women do not fall in the coup. As I did not send any money threatened to kill my son, and even said that the FBI would come looking for me, because I promised to denounce, as I am doing now. Another mistake, if he is British should call to Scotland Yard. I'm going through the photos that the supposed "Stephen" and sent me these awful assemblies passports done over the Internet. Publicize please! He gave me this address Manchester Road, 198, Ashton - Tameside and telephone number: 447 045 776 067 447 700 010 986 as well. Thanks very much to post, and if they do the translation into English.
Thank you so much!
Email: stephenmicheals@hotmail.com

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!