ScamDigger Forum

My name is Gordon and I'm an active-duty U.S. Army officer. My pictures were hacked from a photo storage website in 2006 and have been used by SCAMMERS for several years. I found out about the scams when I joined FACEBOOK in 2009. Since then, I've heard from over 200 women through FB messages. Most wrote to warn me about the fraudulent use of my pictures. Several wrote (thinking I was the scammer) to curse at me. Two asked me to marry them.

The SCAMMERS generally use my last name (HANNETT) as part of the names they create. I've seen dozens of different names being used. I search FACEBOOK frequently looking for SCAMMERS and their fake profiles. Generally, FB is good about deleting the fraudulent accounts when I report them.

Recently, a new opportunity to combat the SCAMMERS arose. An editor from Glamour Magazine in New York City contacted me and asked for an interview. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance. The resulting article will be published in the October 2012 edition of the magazine. I'd encourage everyone to buy the magazine or read the article on-line (for free). Hopefully, the story will shed more light on this under-reported crime.

Thanks, Gordon, for bringing awareness to the problem and for helping victims, in spite of few bad apples who bothered and cursed you. I am sure most victims appreciate all your efforts. And thanks for letting us know about the article, looking forward to read it.

Hi Gordon...

Me too I will be on that issue on Glamour Magazine article

thanks Gordon

Enjoy everyone

I thought Gordon Hannett was also supposed to be in this article??? did I miss it? Or it's another one?

Good article.

But the statistcs 1 out of 10 depends on the site. On some sites, like netlog for example, 9 out of 10 are scammers, and only one is real.... and that one who is real is a perv.

Our old co-fighter The Enchantress is in there, too

Nice that they have finally decided to publish the article, preparations for which started way back last year and all those who contributed are mentioned in there; it´s only fair

Very well written and documented. They covered the important things well. I too was shocked by the 1 in 10 assessment but I think it's based on age range. Remember Glamour's readers are much younger and the scammers target the older, more financially able victims. For that reason most the scammer profiles are in the 40+ age range. If they'd done research in that age group, they'd have found at least 50% of the profiles are scammers, for sure.

I'm nit sure if Gordon suppose to be there but you didn't miss it Marisa

Ms. Brody interviewed me for this story on April 20, 2012. Like some of you, I didn't think the article would ever get published. But, when a fact-checker from Glamour called me late last month, I figured they were getting closer. The bit about me is at the bottom left of page 216. Thanks for posting the full article here. Hopefully, more people will see it that way. I for one have never bought a copy of Glamour Magazine (before today).

Great article. I think I'll pick up a copy of the magazine. I don't think I've every bought one before

Thanks for posting it here. And I did see the reference to Gordon.

Thank you for posting this story for I recently had the honor of talking and meet CJ Grisham online. I had no idea that he to had his pics used for dating scams. But I am thankful I meet him for he has helped me alot. But now I have another concern and maybe I am just nuts now after two years of being lied too. One of the so called scammers texted me and admitted that he had lied and was so sorry and said that he cant lie to me anymore.He said he was a Black man from Nigeria and did have a child but no wife. I know this sounds crazy but I am not one to hold a grudge and yes I was mad and hurt and well as a god fearing person I knew I had to forgive to be at peace. But I found myself having feelings for him still DO I NEED THERAPHY NOW OR WHAT? Need a answer here as to what to do next?
Thanks Heartbroken!

It's a common Nigerian scammer´s tactic change, after their former victim has not ignored him but confronted him. Consequently , they either threaten you or beg you (or simply try another approach on you as a white male with different pictures and name). He has simply changed the gallery and the lies and now runs the 'black male with kid in poverty' storyline on you (and other women).
You can find this typical Nigerian scammers behavior throughout the board, it must pay off well because the scammers are trained liars and experts in exploiting people´s weak spots
Assume per default it's all lies and never talk to your scammer again, based on previous experiences, they just want more money from you.
If it helps you you can still consult a professional counsellor, of course. The basic message is : Never believe any scammer's lie. From my pov , he has just changed his tactic on you in a foreseeable way because his white male engineer format is blown and doesn't lead to any (more) money from you. Next in the scam tactics folder there is blackmail or threat or impersonating a police officer - or gallery switch . Your scammer has opted for 'gallery switch´ because it obviously works as a money gaining machinery on many honest citizens who erroneously believe that now he would not be lying