Military Love Scam? Colonel David Gerlach

I have been conversing with a man online who said he is a Colonel in the Army. He said he is a widower, 53, has an 11 year old son, was deployed from El Paso Texas. Our emails and Instant Messaging have gotten very intense. He said he is being deployed back here at the end of February. He said he has his son in Ghana with a person who dealt with his father in the jewelry industry. He is going to a school there. I checked out the school, it does exist. He said he is a West Pointe Graduate, I did not see his name on the list of graduates when he most likely would have gone, only one with the same name would have been well over 60. He had given me his son's email and he asked for sneakers, I sent them. When he said I should send his son some money to collect them because it is a corrupt country, I refused. Then he said he wanted to send a package to me, he gave me the name of a diplomat supposedly from the Netherlands to get it to me. I wrote to him and he replied back that I should pay a fee of $1,000. I flipped out. I will not and cannot do that and I started to have doubts about this new love of mine. I then found out he can send it directly to me from Afghanistan. He had also said he had no access to his bank accounts, I looked it up and found that to be false. I believe I am being scammed. I have to say I am feeling like a fool. Am I being scammed, how do I find out for sure?

Welcome to Scamwarners MsPinkFlamingo7,

The person you are communicating with is a Scammer from Ghana.

Everything that you stated is typical of West African Scammers.

There is no son in Ghana. The scammer is in Ghana. He only said that so it will be easier for him to pick up packages and money transfers. The email address of the son is actually the scammer playing the son's role. Once you sent sneakers the scammer attempted to steal your money. He figured that he had a good victim.

He was never going to send you a package. This was another attempt to steal from you. The scammer is also playing the role of the Diplomat. The scammer would have you pay all types of fees prior to receiving the fake packages.

Diplomats do not deliver packages.

Soldiers in a combat zones do not have the time to be on the internet chatting with strangers or looking for love. What time they do have will be spent contacting family and love ones back home.

Soldier have access to their money.

Prior to deployment a soldier must show and prove to his Chain of Command that he has provided proper care for his child while deployed. The military has strict standards that must be followed.

Yes, there may be a school in Ghana by that name. The scammer is familiar with his area.

Please post a couple of his initial emails to you. Remove any of your personal information prior to posting.

Also post the three email addresses he sent you. (His, son and fake diplomat)

This will help other women avoid his scam attempts.

Also here is a link to Military Romance Scams >> viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6527

I am embarrassed at how fast this went, looking back on these first emails, I wonder how in the world didn't I see this!
These are his first three emails:

Hi ****,
thank you for giving me your personal email and i will want you to know that i like everything you have told me about yourself and I'm ready to move on with you if it is will for of God, I have attached some pictures of me and my son to you and i believe you are going to like them. I am a Dutch adopted to the United States I lost both foster Dad at my adulthood in a tragedy accident, things weren't that easy for myself and my mum since the loss my foster Dad and it was my sole responsibility to care for my mum since my mum retired early after suffering a spinal cord problem from the same accident. I graduated Moberly High School in 1976, I was an outstanding student, captain of the basketball and baseball teams...I then worked as a clerk so as to make ends meet for myself and mum at the Wabash Railway where I was encouraged by a friend
of my late Dad at Central Christian Church in Moberly, to take the common entrance examination for the U.S Military Academy at West Point, N.Y... I was then planning of saving money to enter the University of
Missouri where I intended to study Law... I finished second in the placement exams (ASVAB test), but the first place winner was unable to accept the appointment, which was deferred to me .Whiles I was at the
academy, I was playing basket ball and football, though am not good with football but did that for fun... Whiles at West Point, I was considered as one of the most outstanding college players in my junior and senior seasons as West Point.

As you know, I'm David Gerlach, a very genuine, very kind, God fearing, caring and devoted man. I am very honest, humble and I love to laugh, which I tend to do quite easily. I got married in Texas- El paso. I am currently deployed in Afghanistan for my last tour I have been here for the 7 months and I have just 3 months to retire. I know it is very dangerous here but we are doing our best and God is also taking very good care of us. I like the military work because it has been my dream work when I was a kid and also I love US and the people in it so I have dedicated my life for my country and I know very soon all will be over. I have earned the respect of those in the military by my actions, Integrity and honesty this means I never cheated, it's unfortunate that I lost my wife years ago and have strive to bring up my son alone since... I am goal driven and make plans years in advance however my personal side can be spontaneous as whether or your schedule permits. Most activities can be enjoyable and fun to me. With the right person anything you do can be fun if you want it to be. I attend all kids functions. I believe in a balance between faith, family, and love. I like an ambitious person who is motivated and enthusiastic. It will be good for us to share something common; my parents were married for several years and would like to have a relationship with a woman similar to what they had. I think love is a noble act of giving, offering trust, faith and loyalty. The more you love, more you lose a part of yourself, and however, you end up being complete with your loved ones. We will be surprise to know how far we can go where we thought that was the end. My dear, loving someone is nothing, to be loved by someone it's something to love and be loved by someone is everything.

Well, I'm talking about fate here - where feelings are so powerful. if it is meant to be, our hearts will find each other when we meet. And if our hearts melt together so will our bodies and souls. Then every word and every touch will fuel our passion flame. I will be yours, you will be mine, and we will be one. What is more important than the love you share, the memories you have or your lover? Give love a chance to swallow you up. Dear, I am very interested in knowing more about you and see what the future holds for us. Can you send me some photos of yourself also so I can look at them whenever you are in my thoughts? Question time if you do not mind. Can you tell me more about your likes and dislikes, what you do on your leisure and what your seek in your future partner...
Have a happy day, a big hug to you.
David.

SECOND EMAIL

Hi *****,
thank you for you kind reply and I want you to know that I like everything you have told me about yourself. You seem to be a good person and so i will like to go on and on with you when you give me the chance to do so. It is so good to know that you are the kind of person who love to help and I want to tell you that God will richly bless you for the helping you are giving to that 17 years old girl. I was deployed Texas- El paso but i had a home in Florida but sold my house when leaving to Afghanistan because I don't have anyone to take care of my properties and so I'm going to purchase a house where i will find that special woman when I return back home. I'm a colonel by rank.

Yes I said in my email that I have 3 months to leave here and come back home and yes I will like to Skype sometime but i don't have Skype on the computer i use here, the only thing i have is yahoo messenger. We are not allow to Skype where i am for security reasons. I'm glad you checked the world clock and now you know the time difference. I also do have Facebook and you can also check out my page, I am known there as David Gerlach. I understand you don't have recent pictures but I will wait for at any time you will get a recent pictures to send to me.

I have to end here and get back to work but i will check on you later.

THIRD EMAIL:

I understand why you think of scam when you see Africa but i want you to know that this is real, this is no joke and games because I'm too old for games. I want you to know that not all are the same so give me the chance to prove to you my seriousness. I agree with you why you don't divulge much about yourself until you know that the person you are communicating with in on the up and up and please know that you are not going to regret, you will not regret allowing me into your life because am a different person all together and what im looking for is real love, someone i can grow old with and make a wonderful home with. It is very true that not everyone is who they say they on that site and for that matter i have deleted my account there and i want to concentrate on you and only you. Where Bryan is, is very peaceful and he was there because i dont have anyone in the States to even take care of him. There is someone i trust there that was why i sent him there and he is doing very good there because i get the chance to communicate with him on weekends. I have attached the picture you asked me to send to you and i hope you are going to like it.

I will end here and get back to work but i will check on you later. I also wish you a happy Thanksgiving.

Added quotations (BW)

I want to thank you for helping me definitely know this is a scam. I am honestly so embarrassed by falling for this. I thank God it only was a small amount I lost by thinking I was doing a good thing by sending the person I thought was his son, two pairs of sneakers. Here are the email addresses and the pictures of the person who called himself Colonel David Gerlach currently at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
Colonel David Gerlach: [email protected]
Bryan Gerlach (son): [email protected]
The diplomat from the Netherlands: [email protected]

Hi MsPinkFlamingo7, so good that you came here to scamwarners. It is really hard when you realize you have been scammed. It happened to me too. It is great how they draw you in, make you feel loved and cared for. Many will play the game of having a child, as it's another good way to draw you in and help you feel sympathy for them. Just remember they are master liars and all you wanted was to find someone to have a relationship with. You didn't asked to be lied to or scammed.
Please make sure you have stopped contact with the scammer. It is hard due to the level of relationship you have had. And they always go fast with us. When you look back you see it but when you're in the middle of it, you don't have that feeling that it is all happening too fast. i think I was saying I love you within a few short weeks. My scammer just made me feel so love and cared about, why wouldn't I fall in love?
You had good instincts and came here, so all you can do is be thankful you stopped what was happening and now can heal from the experience. There will be times you feel sad, mad, foolish, all levels of pain. That is the scammer legacy- the pain they leave behind on our hearts. It does get better and you will be a stronger person for your experience.
Please be careful if you go back on online dating sites. All have potential for scammers. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to come back here. You deserve the best in your search for love- settle for no less.

Thank-you for posting the story MsPinkFlamingo7.
As the other members stated, you are in communications with a grubby scam artist. A real man would never ask an internet friend for money or goods. If you check the e-mail header, the originating IP number will more than likely show a west african country as the email origin.. That will show the 'colonel' has lied about his location.

re: I am embarrassed at how fast this went, looking back on these first emails, I wonder how in the world didn't I see this!

I know from first hand experience but please do not be too harsh on yourself. Scam artists are good at what they do. That is why scammers like the target to be online regularly because reality is removed and the scammer starts to dominate the game.
http://www.cid.army.mil/romance_scam.html is well worth reading if you have not done so already.

Colonel David Gerlach: [email protected]
Bryan Gerlach (son): [email protected]
[email protected]

The scammer that pretends to be a soldier in Afghanistan using this email address [email protected] is actually in Ghana as his IP shows.

41.218.193.111
Originating IP: 41.218.193.111
Originating ISP: Vodafone Ghana
City: Accra
Country of Origin: Ghana

David Gerlach <[email protected]>

I will use this opportunity to tell you more about myself and I hope you will do the same thing in return, As you know, I'm David Gerlach, a very genuine, very kind, God fearing, caring and devoted man. I am very honest, humble and I love to laugh, which I tend to do quite easily. My son lives with a care taker in Africa for security reasons, I got married in Texas- El paso. I am currently deployed in Afghanistan for my last tour I have been here for the 7 months and i have just 2 months to leave here. I know it is very dangerous here but we are doing our best and God is also taking very good care of us. I like the military work because it has been my dream work when I was a kid and also I love US and the people in it so I have dedicated my life for my country and I know very soon all will be over. I have earned the respect of those in the military by my actions, Integrity and honesty this means I never cheated, it's unfortunate that I lost my wife years ago and have strive to bring up my son alone since... I am goal driven and make plans years in advance however my personal side can be spontaneous as whether or your schedule permits. Most activities can be enjoyable and fun to me. With the right person anything you do can be fun if you want it to be. I attend all kids functions. I believe in a balance between faith, family, and love. I like an ambitious person who is motivated and enthusiastic. It will be good for us to share something common; my parents were married for several years and would like to have a relationship with a woman similar to what they had. I think love is a noble act of giving, offering trust, faith and loyalty. The more you love, more you lose a part of yourself, and however, you end up being complete with your loved ones. We will be surprise to know how far we can go where we thought that was the end. My dear, loving someone is nothing, to be loved by someone it's something to love and be loved by someone is everything. I have attached some pictures of me to you and I hope you are going to like them, please send me some of yours if you have any recent pictures of you.

This is enough for the beginning and so I will end here and I hope to hear from you soon.

God bless you,
David.

He has got out of the Military and got a new job all within the hour. Pictures sent are already posted above.

David Gerlach <[email protected]>
Yeaa I am safe here and i am happy to hear from you. I now work on contract basis for Government's, secret services ,intelligence agencies and other firms on issues of security and monitoring here in Afghanistan. I am sorry the pictures didn't come through but I have attached them here and I believe you are going to like them. I will end here and i hope to hear from you soon.

David.

I started looking on websites of Military Scammers. Very interesting, I found his picture on this site, http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Mil ... &Form=IQFR
His name on that one is Maxwell Wilson, it came from Acca, Ghana, why didn't I know or check sooner?
So obviously he has used this picture before, just a different name, I am kicking myself, for a intelligent woman, I certainly am dumb and naive. Figures so, I just got divorced after 23 years of marriage and decided to do the internet dating thing just to meet nice guys to go out with and got hooked into this! Never againhttps://imageshack.com/i/0amlcwj to see images.

I understand feeling foolish. I still feel that way. Just remember we have dealt with professional liars. This is their job- to make us care and to eventually give them money. Most people would be surprised to hear I was scammed. I had been divorced a long time and I guess I just needed to know someone could care about me again.
You don't deserve what happened to you. And remember you were smart enough to see the truth and stop it. Be happy for that. Also, it's a wake up call to examine yourself and know what you need in your life. You deserve the best and maybe you need some time to rediscover yourself. That's what I did. I reconnected with friends. Said yes more often when people invited me to group outings. I'm now a stronger person after all this. Give it time. My guess is you will be too.

After picking up on Eric Hilton’s scam, I was dumb enough to actually believe this one! David Gerlach said he had come to the US at 15 from the Netherlands, I guess I wanted to believe this one because he didn't ask for anything at first and when he said his laptop broke, he did not ask me for a replacement, but then the "son" asked me for sneakers, which touched on my motherly emotions and I did send them. I hate to think some rat in Ghana is sporting new Nike's. Then when he said he wanted to send a package to me, I thought it was ok until the "diplomat" asked for $1,000 and a copy of my driver’s license. I felt like a brick had hit my head. Then I realized I was being had. He has been trying to contact me for days now and today I was just so mad that I did answer him back, I know I shouldn’t have but I suppose I wanted my last word in. I kept all of my references to things I had found on my own and nothing about this site. I can’t believe he actually wanted to continue this! They really have nerve!

David Gerlach (1/5/2014 12:57:49 PM): Hi ******
********* (1/5/2014 12:58:26 PM): I don't believe a word you say.
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 12:59:10 PM): So you don't believe even when I mention your name?
********* (1/5/2014 1:00:18 PM): Are you really black and in Ghana? Yeah, I think so cookie. Does the name Maxwell Wilson ring a bell? Found the picture you stole from a real person on a web site, GOTCHA! And it does matter when you totally misrepresent who you are.
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:02:11 PM): Do you care my color or the love I can give you?
********* (1/5/2014 1:02:30 PM): Just how many women do you work on at one time?
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:03:04 PM): I don't work on any women you the only person I'm talking with
********* (1/5/2014 1:03:35 PM): How's the weather in Ghana? I know you played to be Bryan too, and the diplomat, you piece of shit.
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:04:08 PM): Please be polite
********* (1/5/2014 1:04:21 PM): I also know your computer is not broken, all a hoax.
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:04:49 PM): On my computer is broken
********* (1/5/2014 1:04:55 PM): Here's polite, shove your head up your anus.
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:06:12 PM): Ok
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:07:23 PM): How are you doing sweetheart?
********* (1/5/2014 1:07:34 PM): If you really are real, contact me when you get here in PERSON!
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:08:50 PM): I will do so and you will regret all that you have said to me
********* (1/5/2014 1:09:21 PM): This concludes our banter, if you are real, contact me in the end of February. IN PERSON, you won't be able to do that ass wipe. This woman is done with your scam.
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:09:52 PM): I will
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:10:05 PM): Believe me we are going to meet in person
********* (1/5/2014 1:11:13 PM): That should be good for laughs, I dare you to prove you are real, you couldn't even send a new picture because you don't have one
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:11:36 PM): Ok
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:11:55 PM): I will like you to listen to this song for me
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:12:07 PM): Adele- one and only
********* (1/5/2014 1:12:34 PM): It's all been a game, F U. By the way, you sent me that already, big deal.
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:14:08 PM): Yes I just want you to know that you are my one and only no matter what you say to me or think of me
********* (1/5/2014 1:14:14 PM): Soldiers NEVER ask for anything!
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:14:43 PM): I have never ask you for anything, have I?
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:15:08 PM): Or is it a crime to ask for your love
********* (1/5/2014 1:15:10 PM): Let's just see in February, Yeah, you have, sneakers????? Pay a diplomat???? What do you think the payoff would be? How much did you think you could extort from me?
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:16:47 PM): How
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:16:57 PM): What do you mean by that?
********* (1/5/2014 1:17:35 PM): I'm done, if you are real, which I doubt, show up in PERSON in February. Then we'll talk.
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:18:11 PM): Ok bye see u in Feb

I'm still waiting for my scammer to show up. Last time we talked he promised me he would come and return all the money he "borrowed."

David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:14:43 PM): I have never ask you for anything, have I?
David Gerlach (1/5/2014 1:15:08 PM): Or is it a crime to ask for your love

This is how they operate. They will never admit they are scammers and always have an excuse why it is ok what they do. You really need to stop all contact. I know the need for revenge is there but believe me, if you continue the contact, they can find ways to pull at your heart and keep you hooked. Even if you have no intention and know they are scamming you, please just let it be. Your time and energy can be better spent on taking care of you.

After my feeling vindicated, I deleted and blocked him entirely. I do not intend on having ANY further communications with him. I can see how slick he tries to be, I can see he was trying to hook me in again, it won't happen. I just thank God it only cost me the price of two pairs of sneakers and the mailing. For the first time, I am thankful for having limited funds after my divorce!