I recently signed up on Match.com and last night got an embarrassingly long and oddly worded email from someone there. At first I was weirded out by the detail in the letter—I mean, let's face it, most people on dating sites send very tentative short flirtations in case they get rebuffed.
I noticed some of the details were off—like this dude's profile says he's in Michigan and he states in his letter he is from Empire State, NY. Even if he's indeed from NY, who says that? Also, you can see a lot of the grammar is off. I looked at his actual profile and it seemed even weirder—his personal description read very strange about how he lost his father when he was 5 to a very oddly specific description of an illness.
In the profession section he literally says this: "Sgt Mark Edwards, Stationed in Iraq, As you know we are being attacked by insurgents everyday..." So of course I Googled the name and found that that Sgt Mark Edwards is a name used in conjunction with a version of the Nigerian 411 scam. In fact that phrase appears in some versions of the emails sent out.
[Note: a real Staff Sgt. Mark O. Edwards died in Iraq in 2005 from a "non-combat related cause"; it appears certain scammers have randomly picked up his name and started using it. -Ed.]
The guy didn't actually ask me for any money because I didn't engage him in conversation at all—but I did report him to Match and they seem to have already removed the profile.
The reason I wanted you tell you is that it freaked me out that these guys are preying on lonely women and I guess men as well in this way. Being single sometimes can suck and it just makes it all a little worse to encounter people like this. Thought your readers should know.
Fortunately, there's still enough of a cultural and language gap between most of these scammers and the average American that they're easy enough to spot—but yeah, these people suck.
Below is the message our reader received:
How are you doing. It is a Pleasure sending you an Email My Name is Mark Edwards by name I am from Empire state NY ... i am 46 years old,with 1 kid that live with me. I have been single for few years now and Ever since then I have not dated anyone. I am Searching for someone to be with me for the rest of my life,It is better to find a woman that will live with you forever than a woman who will Just be with you for a while..I am Really looking for a soul mate.Well I believe in every person on Earth there is a Perfect soulmate.i love watching movies,dancing,camping,fishing and making new friends... I am a romantic and very content with my life, I just think it would be a lot more fun if there was someone to share it with. I'm a strong, independent man with a great sense of humor and have managed to remain a kid at heart.I like candles and flowers... music and reading bible... (whether it be a lake,stream or the ocean)...sunshine and rainy days...falling leaves (Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year), holding hands...cuddling...walking in the evening and kissing under a street light. I am honest and expect the same in return. I don't play games or care much for people who do so give me a way to get in touch.... I am looking for a true companion,the missing link in my life. and i am looking for this kind of lady Please, be happy and have a positive attitude. I'm sorry if you've had a bad divorced or childhood, but hopefully you will have put that behind you. I hope you will be honest, sensitive and affectionate (being a romantic would be great!).Be prepared though, I may want to take you away for a surprise romantic If you have a strong shoulder for me to lean on and allow me to cry on You ,well,that would be a real bonus! But you should know that I will be there for you a partner (in every sense of the world) who will be there to share the laughter and the tears. If you hold my heart,there is nothing I won't do for you. I read a profile once that says it all perfectly someone I am excited to spend my the rest of my life with and even more eager to spend my days and nights with"...i am a gentle Man and a kind soul i am looking for a Lady that will be my best friend and my love some one to be with forever plus more if it goes that way, someone who has a positive out look on life,caring,loving, not boring likes to go out and do things even if its just a walk..Am interested in you that's why i sent you this Message...to tell you that the age does not matters when there's love...And if u are interested you can add me to your yahoo messenger {markedwards492002} so we could chat more and more or you should send me an email Directly to my personal mail .....here is my yahoo I'm online right now... [match.com address redacted] so bye for now and take good care of your self hope to hear from u soon.
Mark.
Here are some other examples of fake Mark Edwards emails from 2006, 2007, and 2009.
]]>@gStein: What happens is that after you get to be a middle 20-something and above, you realize that there are no quality people to be found hanging out in clubs and bars. Once you realize that, then no one needs to explain the allure of meeting people who state right up front whether they're looking for marriage or long-term or just hooking up, and who tell you right up front that they are never, ever going to be willing to sit through a romantic comedy with you, or spend Sunday afternoons with your grandmother, or eat Thai food 3 times a week with you.
]]>(source: used to work for a company that ran a dating site, did lots of market research and studies into it as well.)
And yes, scammers are everywhere. Certain sections of Craigslist have been completely overrun by spammers & scammers.
]]>@IfThenElvis: First we take Manhattan ...
]]>I'm trying to date again after a LOOOOOOONG dry spell, and seriously, at my age (44) there is NO ONE good at those places. People around here get married very young and stay that way, and they go everywhere with their entire family and if you are alone, they look at you like you're some kind of freak. Forget married friends setting you up; they don't have time to even SEE you, let alone introduce you to anyone they might know. And I'm not churchy so Christian groups don't work for me, and going to two different churches of my own denomination (Catholic) didn't work either. No one even WELCOMED me!
I signed up for OKCupid recently and so far, have exchanged messages with one person, and zapped a bunch of others who didn't seem like a good match. I think I got one of these messages!
I'm going to give it a little bit of time and if I don't meet anyone, I'll cancel it and go downtown and sit in the coffeehouse with an interesting book. I might do that anyway!
]]>I love reading the bible in a stream too!
]]>Don't forget about 40 references to how much they love God.
]]>Next time:
"You're a doctor? Can you help me out and look at this?
: insert goatse pic:
I've considered replying to the scam e-mails and offering to correct the spelling and grammar in the messages for a fee. Might be a profitable side business.
]]>I love craigslist!
]]>@gttim:
Some may be interested... if you have money.
]]>@gStein:
The allure of dating websites is not having to deal with the club/bar scene. That may be fine when you're in your 20s, but it gets old really fast. Also, my mom always told me that if you meet a guy in a bar you can't really complain when he continues to drink and spend time in the bars.
I met my honey online, and it's the best relationship I've ever had. Don't let a few horror stories scare or prejudice you. I know lots of folks who met spouses, boyfriends, companions, and friends via the net.
]]>@korybing:
There are many Americans who can't spell or use correct grammar, so I'm not surprised they would fall for a scammer who doesn't either.
@gStein: Some people don't actually like going to bars and clubs, believe it or not.
I hate going to dance clubs or loud bars. They are not fun for me, and good luck attracting someone of the opposite sex if you're having a miserable time. Plus, why would I seek out people who are participating in an activity I dislike doing myself? That's like someone who hates baseball deciding that going to baseball games is a great way to meet someone they'll have a lot in common with. The stigma of meeting someone online is long gone for most people.
You mention "meeting people the old-fashioned way, going out to clubs and bars..." Isn't the "old-fashioned way" really meeting someone at church or at a bake sale? Or maybe an arranged marriage? It's not as though bars and clubs have been the established, mainstream way to meet people since the dawn of time.
I understand you were asking an honest question. The short answer is that the allure of dating websites is that you might meet someone you like. There are dozens of ways to do that. So the real question is why are any of those other ways more valid to you than dating websites?
]]>Of course if writing like that still results in scams I guess you don't NEED to improve your English.
]]>So just where HAVEN'T scammers infiltrated?
As it is you can "work" at a scam job, "buy" a scam car, "rent" a scam house, and "date" a scam profile...
Aren't most dating scammers looking for US and UK addresses for reshipping goods to Nigeria? That was what it seemed like for the Dateline MSNBC "To Catch an Identity Thief" show...
]]>that gut just came on way too strong. no man on earth looks for a woman with strong shoulders so that he can cry on them.
he's gotta play it cool...
"Hey baby, I'm B1663R, what's your sign?"
"awww, c'mon baby! don't get mad!"
like these dudes need to watch some early 80's tv shows and study under the masters like Lee Majors
]]>xctly wht s th pnt f Cnsmrst f ll thy d s rwrt cpy frm lswhr r thrws hwk vr nd vr gn, "Fr 30-dy trl t Cnsmr Rprts.rg"?
]]>@winstonthorne: Haha, good point.
]]>@OMG!ToOMG!,ByMyPonies!_GitEmSteveDave:
Kitteh is named Commando and kindly requests that you buy a pair of non-living fur-lined underwear NOW! (and those of us that pet your kitteh have noticed your hygiene)
]]>I have met all of my past GF's in either work or college. Sadly, I work in an office with two older women who are either married, or getting within the year, and neither have daughters my age. As for clubs, I tend to make horrible first impressions. I'm kind of like George Costanza/a jingle. I grow on people.
]]>@gStein:
You'll find that most middle-aged women don't go to clubs to find a relationship. They go there to escape one.
If you're looking for damaged goods or maybe a one-night deal, fine. Otherwise, forget it.
]]>Last week I got a call that I rejected from a strange name. When I refused their call they started a chat and said they didn't know me, but I'd know them if I answered the voice call and that it was a very important matter and I'll lose my chance forever if I don't answer their call.
The "important matter" he said he could only say in voice. I answered with LOL and blocked them and changed my settings so that only people on my list can call me.
]]>Because going to clubs and bars by yourself feels weird. Plus, if you live (recent move, etc.) where you don't really know anyone and most of your immediate social circle isn't the club going type anyway, either from lack of inclination or having a family, it can be difficult to meet new people when you end up in a new place. Once you're out of college, it gets harder to meet new people, especially if you aren't the churchgoing type.
]]>@kduhtoe:
He does sound cute. Might be fun to have him neutered & kept in a cage under the big screen tv.
@Alternate:
or Fox News, teh he!
Of course scammers suck and should be shot on sight, but it should be obvious with that kind of writing who's behind it (to anyone with a high school diploma).
]]>Also, you go to the store to meet people? You must have a high tolerance for disappointment.
]]>I don't get scammers. :/
]]>"Hi
I am Mido 22 years .. living in Egypt right now & studying for medical school ..
I am preparing for the USMLE ( Us Medical license ) to be ready to be a doctor in USA
& get the License next year or 2011 at most ,,,
I saw ur profile & I really like it
I wish we can be friends
I am looking forward your reply
this is my Yhoo : a7medreda2010 "
]]>BTW I always wondered where Nigerian scammers picked up the "Am" thing. Am Mark Edwards, am interested in meeting you. Am needing you to send me $1000 for travel expenses.
]]>I know these people are con artists and thieves but using the identity of a dead soldier is really low.
]]>