I was contacted by this person on the dating web site OK Cupid. I recognized his pitch immediately as a catfishing scam that would eventually lead to a solicitation for money. He asked to write to me outside of the dating web site for a bogus reason, and then began sending me these LONG e-mails describing his life, his work, his travels, his avid interest in a relationship with me, etc. I see that his M.O. (and those of similar catfishers) involved writing up to 20 or more daily e-mails to suck in unsuspecting or vulnerable women and then trying to scam them out of money. From the grammar, this is clearly someone whose first language is not English. Also, he ripped off photos from the internet and claims this handsome man in the photos is him. Here's the most recent e-mail:
Good Morning ,
I trust you had a good night with beautiful dreams dear? Wonderful people like you deserve a good sleep and a good massage, all sort of special treatments that relaxes the soul.
Thanks for your responds. It was so nice of you to write me after my long email to you. What I appreciate most is that you created the time out of your very busy schedule to read my long email and respond to it. I was trying to fulfill my promise of telling you all about me and nearly wrote a book. I was just trying to be as open as I can so that you will know this man that is interested in developing a great relationship with you. I got up early so I could finish packing for my trip to CA and I will be there for just ten days.
I would be the happiest man on the planet earth to be in a relationship again; I took the Portfolio managers job when my wife died mainly out of loneliness. I thought it was over for me and life but in the long run, I started feeling for myself and registered on the site. Today I am happy that I did because it has given me the opportunity to meet you. I also would like you to know I just moved into this city here in CHICAGO IL, just 3 weeks old, I moved from from TX.
I think at this stage; I should tell you more about me so that you will know me better. One of the things that make me feel so happy is to visit the beach. I love to watch the sunset and play many games on the beach side. I like to Para-sail and other activities on the beach. Do you know that water can speak to a soul? I will interpret it for you when we go to the beach together.
I enjoy getting in the car and just taking a drive out east exploring different places.
I like going out to dinner and seeing shows or concerts but also like cooking together and sharing some wine together.
On a rainy Sunday, I like curling up on the couch either reading a book or watching a movie. I am willing to try almost anything once. Life is too short one needs to take a chance on things. I am comfortable in my skin. I believe in honesty; trust is a big factor in a relationship. And communication is important. You need to be able to talk about anything and everything with that person and not be afraid to express your feelings. I enjoy music and have a good sense of humor. Laughter is good for the soul.
I am serious and know what I am looking for. A best friend and soulmate. I want someone that is loving and kind with a compassionate heart. That will be proud of me and love me for who I am. Someone who is caring and will talk with me, and we can listen to one another. I enjoy romance and living life to the fullest.
I was born in, Oslo Norway but came back to the US with my parents at the age of 6. I left United State at the age of 16 to attend school in Hamburg Germany. I lived in Germany for six years before relocating to Robert Gordon University Aberdeen Scotland where I did the rest of studies and had my Masters; I further proceeded to Australia where I had my Ph.D. My long stay abroad makes people say I have Mixed accent; whether German, Spanish, British, Norwegian or Irish accent, all I know is that I speak English fluently.. lol.
I feel very young both physically and mentally. I understand we have both may have had some good and worst experiences in our previous relationship, but we should try to let the past go and focus on the future because it is only in the future that there is hope.
I will stop here till I hear from you to avoid boring you with another long email.
Hope to read from you later.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
words to search for to ID similar scammers
#3Author of original report
Mon, February 06, 2017
If you search the words "relocating to Robert Gordon University" on Google, you will find NUMEROUS scammers (male and female!) who use this phrase to describe their background. They also usually combine it with "lived in Germany" for a certain number of years. I even found one site where a fake "Wisnewski Family Profile" was advertising for a live-in nanny or au pair and they used this phrase to describe the family background. There is NO END to the ways that this same scam is being tweaked and used and reused by all kinds of creeps who are trying to take advantage of vulnerable people who are looking for a trusted person on the Internet.
Clarification on catfishing emails
#3Author of original report
Thu, December 22, 2016
Just wanted to clarify that there is one LONG email per day sent as part of this scam. Also, I found online a woman named Johanna who posted a string of emails from one Peter Henrik that is almost identical to the ones I have received from Donald Harlem or Herlem.