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.
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!
