If you want to skip the background scroll down to my entertaining correspondence with the scammer, as he tries to hook me in.
Sedo is a service that allows owners of domain names to sell them in much the same way that eBay allows you to sell goods, either for a fixed price or at auction. It also provides an escrow service so that a transaction is secure (they get the money and the domain and then swap them between buyer and seller).
Domain sellers on Sedo have recently been targeted in the following way:
1. The seller places a domain for sale on Sedo.
2. The scammer scans Sedo for new domain listings and targets those listings.
3. The seller receives an email from the scammer. An important characteristic of this email is that it is not via the Sedo service – the scammer looks up the registered owner of the domain and contacts them directly through the domain’s contact email.
4. This first email is the “hook”. It offers a large sum of money for the domain and waits for the domain owner to take the bait.
5. Once the domain owner shows an interest, the scammer explains that he is very interested in the domain but cannot pay any money for it without a third party valuation service. He explains that he has researched valuation services and only a few are reliable and cost-effective. Gradually he narrows it down to one service that he insists on using.
6. If the buyer bites (what’s a small sum to pay for the riches offered by the scammer?), then they will pay for the valuation service and submit the result to the scammer.
7. At this point the scammer no longer responds to emails. They got what they wanted – the valuation fee.
Here’s my correspondence with the scammer:
Email #1 – the bait:
================================================
From: murphy@eliteinvestment.net
To: danny
Subject: [my domain name for sale (date sent)]
Hello,
I’m interested in your domain in the subject line.
Investing in domains is a profitable business. We are in real estate business. Sometimes we buy, sometimes we resell for making a profit.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Andrew Murphy
Vice President
Elite Investment Group
================================================
Commentary:
- Notice how there is no mention of where this company (“Elite Investment Group”) is based. I will press this point with “Andrew Murphy” later, but he wouldn’t respond.
- At the time of writing there was no content in the domain that the email originates from (eliteinvestment.net)
- Further research shows that eliteinvestment.net is registered by Proxy, so the owners obviously want to hide who they are.
Email #2 – I bite:
================================================
From: “Danny”
To: Murphy
Subject: [domain name (date sent)]
Thanks, are you wishing to make an offer on my domain?
Email #3 – Trap is laid out:
================================================
From: Murphy
To: Danny
Subject: [domain name (date sent)]
Sorry for delay with answer. Our family was celebrating newborn child of my sister.
Can you accept 5,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s
very
important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers: http://domainblog.007sites.com/587412.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
================================================
Commentary:
- Notice how the scammer tries to lead you to believe he relies on reputable companies by sending you to an obviously planted forum.
- The company he wants you to focus on is www.DomainExplorer.org – but he will narrow it down to that company later. For now he wants you to think the name of the actual valuation company doesn’t matter. He just needs a reputable one.
- Notice that he is also talking about methods of payment to lure you in.
- Interestingly, the grammar is a bit wonky and inconsistent, which suggests this ‘script’ was adapted and ‘perfected’ by different people.
Email #4 – I test his determination
================================================
From: “Danny”
To: “‘Murphy’”
Subject: [domain name (date sent)]
I only transact through Sedo, and do not require the use of appraisal companies who are usually just a scam.
If you would like to buy this domain I would encourage you to put an offer through on the Sedo site.
Thank you and have a good weekend!
Danny.
Email #5 – He responds and refocuses on the appraisal :
================================================
From: Murphy
To: Danny
Subject: [domain name (date sent)]
Sedo is a good broker and we can use it for transfer/transaction. Unfortunately , Sedo is not acceptable as an appraiser because your names are listed with them and they are not independent. They are interested in earning 10% commission on every sale. I need appraisals from a company which is not interested in selling your domains.
I heard many appraisal companies often made inaccurate appraisals. So I cannot accept appraisal from each and every site. I will only accept appraisals from independent appraisal companies I know and trust.
================================================
Commentary:
- He persists, because I engaged. As long as I am engaged, there is still a chance to hook me.
- Notice how I didn’t mention domain appraisal services, but he keeps coming back to that point, as if it was a crucial part of domain sales. In actual fact, a domain is worth what a seller is willing to pay for it, and oftentimes pricing it is more of an art than a science, with a mix of luck.
Email #6 – I don’t bite. What will he do?
================================================
From: “Danny”
To: ‘Murphy’
Subject: [domain name (date sent)]
I thank you for your response, but I have no interest in these appraisal services, or in doing business with you this way. If you wish to place a bid on my domain you are welcome to do so on the Sedo site.
Regards for a good weekend,
Danny.
Email #7 – It’s all about the valuation, of course, but let’s narrow it down:
================================================
From: Murphy
To: Danny
Subject: [domain name (date sent)]
We both need independent valuation first.
Sellers always provide buyers with valuations. This is a common practice.
I don’t trust $14 services like that GoDaddy’s valuation service. Nobody will do a research for $14. We need a real manual service.
I researched several companies and here are the results:
I wanted to engage AccurateDomains.com as appraiser but looks like this company has very bad reputation Just read this blog http://accuratedomains.blogspot.com/
So I’m not going to accept this fraudulent service.
I also considered www.Afternic.com, but now it’s clear their service is not reliable enough. Just read this: http://www.igoldrush.com/links3.htm “Capsule Review: After lots of complaints, Afternic is no longer a recommended service. We will re-review the service in the near future.”
Another complaint http://www.out-law.com/page-1630
I was told about manual research service from http://www.DomainMart.com. It costs – $200/hour.
Many experienced sellers suggested me www.DomainExplorer.org as a trustworth manual service. They charge per name not per hour. I’ve read only positive comments about them.
================================================
Commentary:
- He seems to go back to the script. This is the mail he would use to narrow the victim down to domainexploere.org, where he wants me to go.
- I decide to repeat my previous email exactly and see if he would notice.
Email #8 – I repeat myself, will he notice?:
================================================
From: “Danny”
To: “‘Murphy’”
Subject: [domain name (date sent)]
I thank you for your response, but I have no interest in these appraisal services, or in doing business with you this way. If you wish to place a bid on my domain you are welcome to do so on the Sedo site.
Regards,
Danny.
Email #9 – He keeps going… It’s all about the valuation:
================================================
From: Murphy
To: Danny
Subject: [domain name (date sent)]
It’s a big risk to proceed without professional valuation. I already spoke to industry experts and they prohibited me to do business without valuation.
Without manual valuation nobody will buy. You’ll sit on your domain for years in this case, paying renewal fees to your registrar. Just think about it. So sooner or later, you’ll have to obtain an appraisal. Why waste time now?
As a seller, you can use a valuation certificate to sell names to other buyers. I cannot do the same because I don’t keep control over your domain.
I’m still interested in your domain. Hope you’ll change your position. I simply don’t want to take additional risks.
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.
Email #10 – I decide to confront him:
================================================
From: Danny
To: “‘Murphy’”
Subject: [domain name (date sent)]
For someone in the domain reselling business you seem awfully focussed on the appraisal of one specific company whose domain is registered via proxy and that does not have a physical address, and appears on several scam warnings.
You also never mentioned where your company (elite Investment) is registered, and your own domain isn’t populated.
Entertaining. Care to comment?
Regards,
Danny.
Email #11- This is clearly off script – so he sends one last ditch (none of my questions are answered):
================================================
From: Murphy
To: Danny
Subject: [domain name (date sent)]
No deal without appraisal from a trusted source. This simple rule has saved me a lot of money and time. Feel free to contact me when you change your position and let’s do business the right way.
================================================
FURTHER SCAM INFORMATION
This pattern has been repeated in quite a few cases, but with changing names, often using the same script, for example: the same scam email (with the same text) was sent from:
Robert Gardos, CEO Elite Investment
Steven Campanella, Vice President, Elite Investment Group
Paul Rancour, CEO, ELI LLC
Eric Jorgensen, Vice President, Elite Invest Network
Tom Myers, ‘Independent Cybersquatter’
Jeffrey Burnstein, CEO of OBS LLC (burnstein@theonlinebrokerage.com)
(source).
Robert Gardos, VP, TGS Technologies (gardos@toughguy.net) (source)
Further examples are here, here , here and here.
SEDO’S RESPONSE:
I wrote to Sedo saying: “I was wondering if you were aware of this sort of scam happening, and if so, whether you would consider placing some kind of warning for other users of your site. It can be very easily misleading.”
Their response was:
“We are aware that there are unscrupulous persons around who will contact domain owners to try and get them to order an appraisal or sell the domain.
At Sedo, we encourage customers to use our appraisal service which is much more trustworthy.
You can always privacy protect the WHOIS record for your domain to avoid receiving these kind of emails in the future. You can do this through your registrar.”
So, no, they don’t really think they should warn their users, and simply suggest we use their services. Doh!
If you have been contacted in this way feel free to add your experience here as a comment, especially noting the names used in your case, so that they come up in Google searches and warn others.
I’ve been contacted twice over two different domain names. I always wondered if the whole thing was a scam, directing me towards a 007 forum was the first thing.
My guy’s name was Sean Thompson. “CEO” of Elite Investment…and just like you I checked their website first.
Just wondering, I know this is a scam but has anyone successfully sold a domain to these people?
I’m very embarrased, that I even spoke to this guy.
I’m not sure how he found me since I do not have my site for sale.
Here are all the emails mine to him and his responses. The bottom email is the first email from him to me.
Hello,
This is ok, as I will open a web hosting service. The renewal fees are not
much money so this is ok.
NE6V
Los Angeles Section Affiliated Club Coordinator
ARRL SW Division Cong.Dist.29 LAA
ARRL Life Member
—– Original Message —–
From: “Urbanski”
To: “NE6V”
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 10:45 PM
Subject: Re: PHPHOSTED.NET (sent 04/12/09)
It’s a big risk to proceed without professional valuation. I already spoke
to industry experts and they prohibited me to do business without
valuation..
Without manual valuation nobody will buy. You’ll sit on your domain for
years in this case, paying renewal fees to your registrar. Just think
about
it. So sooner or later, you’ll have to obtain an appraisal. Why waste time
now?
As a seller, you can use a valuation certificate to sell names to other
buyers. I cannot do the same because I don’t keep control over your
domain.
I’m still interested in your domain. Hope you’ll change your position. I
simply don’t want to take additional risks.
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.
—– Original Message —–
From: “NE6V”
To: “Urbanski”
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 1:29 AM
Subject: Re: PHPHOSTED.NET (sent 04/12/09)
Hello Congrats to your brother!
The domains I listed are just domains. I do have 2 sites which I have
been thinking of selling, I do not have the time to run them. They are
Video Gaming Web Sites. Both of which I have had Valuations done on. The
combined values of those is at 45-50k.The “name recognition” is TOP
NOTCH, both are DMOZ.org listed and are very strong, many hits, each are
over 5k each hits per day. I can give you the url if you are interested.
The domain names I have not had a valuation done on. I would sell,
phphosted.net and phpservers.net, together only for 12,000 US. That is
for the names only no content. If I had to pay for valuations the price
would be more because of the cost and my time involved. One week ago some
man from New York contacted me about those domains. Maybe he is working
with you, I don’t know. We have gone back and forth in negotiations but
no commitment yet, so they are still for sale.So you can tell me if you
are interested in those 2 domains. Yes I take PayPal or alertpay.com.
Thank you-
ne6v
—– Original Message —–
From: “Urbanski”
To: “NE6V”
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 1:01 PM
Subject: Re: PHPHOSTED.NET (sent 04/12/09)
We were celebrating newborn child of my brother. I apologize for delay
with my answer.
Can you accept 15,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain
appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s
very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a
valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept
valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal
companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://domainblog.007sites.com/693018.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking
price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% –
15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to
obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire
transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
—– Original Message —–
From: “NE6V”
To:
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 11:48 AM
Subject: Re: PHPHOSTED.NET (sent 04/12/09)
Sir,
Thank you for your interest, I went to your web site
“eliteinvestments.net” and got this:
If you are the owner of this web site you have not uploaded (or
incorrectly uploaded) your web site. For information on uploading your
web
site using FTP client software or web design software, click here for
FTP
Upload Information.
It seems your web site is not up yet.
Yes I do own that domain and about 50 more. From php/sql type names
to
names for video game sites. Some of my video game domains are ranked
among
the top in search engines.
Some of the names that may interest you are:
phphosted.net
phpservers.net
mysqlservers.net
mysqlwebhost.net
phpuserserver.com
databasetechs.com
a1databases.com
a1pctechs.com
Those are just some of the domains I own. I do not register a domain
in
hopes of selling it. The php and SQL domains I had plans of opening a
web
hosting service. I have made other investments so that idea is now 2nd
or 3
rd on my list. I would consider selling domains if the offer makes
sense. I
don’t need the money and I know some of these domain names are very
good for
a web host, service providers etc.
Perhaps a phone conversation would be a good way for us to
communicate.
I can be reached at (phone number removed.) If you would please provide me with a
phone number also that would be helpful.
Best Regards,
NE6V
—– Original Message —–
From:
To:
Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2009 9:26 PM
Subject: PHPHOSTED.NET (sent 04/12/09)
Hello,
What is the price of your domain?
Investing in domains is a profitable business and our company is
interested in good and easy-to-remember domain names.
Looking forward to do business with you.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Regards,
Donald Urbanski
CEO
Elite Invest LLC
========================================================
I think they have a new CEO every month!
?? Original Message ??
From: urbanski@eliteinvestment.net
Sent: Wed 4/15/09 11:17 AM
Hello,
What is the price of your domain?
Investing in domains is a profitable business and our company is interested in good and easy-to-remember domain names.
Looking forward to do business with you. If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Regards,
Donald Urbanski
CEO
Elite Invest LLC
I just received this letter too.
and I decided to look at Google and see if there is any information about this person.
Thank you very much for the important info.
Hey…!
I just received the the same emails as you guys.
Don’t know what to say…
First email:
> —–Original Message—–
> From: urbanski@theonlinebrokerage.com
> [mailto:urbanski@theonlinebrokerage.com]
> Sent: 21 avril 2009 08:21
> To:
> Subject: d3-forums.net sent (04/21/09)
>
> Hello,
>
> What is the price of your domain?
>
> Investing in domains is a profitable business > >and our company is
> interested in good and easy-to-remember >domain names.
>
> Looking forward to do business with you.
>
> If you have other domains for sale feel free to > send your list.
>
> Regards,
> Donald Urbanski
> CEO
> Elite Invest LLC
Second email:
>We were celebrating newborn child of my >brother. I apologize for delay with my answer.
>
>Can you accept 15,000 USD?
>
>Do you sell domain with a web site or just the >name?
>
>Domain without content is ok with me. Web >site is not necessary.
>
>Have you had your domain names evaluated >in the past? I mean domain appraisals. >Without valuation we cannot be sure in the >sale price. It’s very important for me in terms >of reselling too. But we must engage a >valuation company with REAL manual >service. So I will only accept valuations from >independent sources I and my partners trust.
>
>To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts >about reputable appraisal companies.
>
>Please check this blog with suggestions from >other sellers and buyers:
>http://domainblog.007sites.com/693018.htm
>
>If, for example, the valuation comes higher >you can adjust your asking price accordingly. >It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% >- 15% discount.
>
>After you send me the valuation via email >(usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll >continue our negotiations.
>
>What is your preferred payment method: >Escrow.com, International wire transfer, >PayPal.com or something else?
>
>Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
>
>Looking forward to your reply.
>
>
Hey guys,
another one here, this time Christopher Eagleson:
———————————————
Hello,
What is the price of your domain?
We are very interested in it. Good domains are wise investment in the
future. Our company is interested in easy-to-remember domain names.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Christopher Eagleson
CEO
TB Real Estate LLC
—————————————–
and the following mail:
We were celebrating newborn child of my brother. I apologize for delay with my answer.
xxx. Ok.
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://domainblog.007sites.com/691428.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
how i love this nigerian-even-if-it’s-not-really-nigerian type of scams.
I am currently engaged in “negotiations” with Mr Donald Urbanski for 4 of my domain names. I grew suspicious when reading the second email that offers money ($15,000), but then asks for a valuation. As I have never heard of business being done this way I decided to google him, and here I am.
Although Mr Urbanski claims to be CEO of Elite Invest LLC he uses an email address at theonlinebrokerage. com as does Jeffery Burnstein from the above example.
A quick visit to theonlinebrokerage reveals a very simple site, but interestingly the home button trys to link to the nonexistent eliteinvesment. net. This would suggest to me that the two have close links.
A Whois search of theonlinebrokerage gives a name, address, email and even telephone number.
Does anyone think this is somthing the police would take seriously, or should I just enjoy winding him up for a bit and leave it at that?
I got this one today…
Hello,
What is the price of your domain?
We are very interested in it. Good domains are wise investment in the future. Our company is interested in easy-to-remember domain names.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Christopher Eagleson
CEO
TB Real Estate LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
I have a Mr. “William Trotter” (eagleson@the onlinebrokerage.com) attempting to do this right now for my domains www.orlandoeliterealty.com and flanotenetwork.com. Something told me to “Google” “Manual Valuations” and I landed on this site! Thanks so much for the info. He almost had me at one point but my “Scamdar” was going off….lol
Boy, am I embarassed to say I was sucked into getting an appraisal from these guys. Brand new into the domain business, I bit.. Then got VERY concerned in was a scam, and quit the communication. They kept writing back, saying I would be sorry that I would not use their service to “sell” my domain! I am sure what they would have done, was sold it to a friend, sent me a check or bogus money order. I would have lost the domain, and a cash brokerage fee. These guys are getting better. Just got a letter from a Christopher Eagleson.. Same hook, a little bit different tactic. Do not do business with these guys, they are the scammers from Hell..
I recently added some domains on sedo.com and have been reading more and more… and last week I received an email from “Christopher Eagleson”. I still haven’t reply since my research on the web brought me on this page. Thank you guys for sharing your experience !!!
Ha! Well, I’m now a member of this illustrious club! Thank God I’m smart enough to get out here and do my homework before engaging with any of these spammers! I just listed some domains on Sedo for sale, and voila!, I receive a letter from Chris Eagleson as well:
_____________________
Hello,
What is the price of your domain?
We are very interested in it. Good domains are wise investment in the
future. Our company is interested in easy-to-remember domain names.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Christopher Eagleson
CEO
TB Real Estate LLC
_____________________
I’ve had other spammers try to scam me by offering to buy links on one of my websites, and then what follows are email threats and claims that they’ve already sent you payment, please post their link, return their money, or they’ll file a grievance against you with Paypal. I just file their info and details of the incident with the FBI online, make them aware of that, and send them packing!
I guess they really don’t expect anyone to do their research, eh?
Chris Eagleson won’t be getting a reply from me!
The Fitness Diva
Now *I* have fallen prey to this loser. Thankfully no deal went through – thought I guess the point is it never would have.
Here’s mine today. That brother keeps having those babies! And “Christopher Eagleson” sent it.
We were celebrating newborn child of my brother. I apologize for delay with my answer.
Can you accept 15,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://domainblog.007sites.com/691428.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
No deal would have ever gone through.. Next he says that he wanted to resell it right away, but cannot due to ICANNs rules about having to wait two months first.. and offers to brokerage it for you instead for a fee of fifteen percent.. He then will “sell” it for you to another scammer, send you a bogus cashiers check, MO, or something like that which the banks will cash because they look real. You will send him his 15%, and get stuck losing the domain, the cash from the “sale” when the bank discovers the financial part is bad, and your 15% fee.. Would like to hunt these guys down, and put em all in jail..
so here i created a domain recently and second day this jackass contacts me and is willing to pay the price i put forth. Anyways the second email gave it away, he recommended this website and my flags went up. So Obvious. Anyways be carefull.
P.S. why did my flag go up? Craigslist, scammers pull a stunt similar to mr eagleson. No body needs to know about his brother’s sister’s son or daughter.
I have also got email Christopher Eagleson.
Please do not do any business such guy.
He wasted my lot of money on domain appraisal and finnaly he refused to buy domain name after getting appraisal from domainexplorer.org.
I’ve received an email like this from this guy! SCAMMER!!!
de “weisberg@theonlinebrokerage.com”
ocultar detalles 09-may (hace 3 d?as)
fecha 09-may-2009 14:40 asunto negocios-online.net sent (05/09/09)
Hello,
What is the price of your domain?
We are very interested in it. Good domains are wise investment in the
future. Our company is interested in easy-to-remember domain names.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Andrew Weisberg
CEO
OB Real Estate LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
SCAMMER!!!!
same scam here..
Hello,
What is the price of your domain?
We are very interested in it. Good domains are wise investment in the
future. Our company is interested in easy-to-remember domain names.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Andrew Weisberg
CEO
OB Real Estate LLC
and also a sedo new customer…
Yep. I got Weisberg… still in communication at this time. He’s offering $15,000. His brother’s having the baby; must be a very large family by now. Thanks very much to this forum. I wish others good luck in avoiding this criminal.
I got same email today:
Sorry for delay. We were celebrating newborn child of my cousine.
Can you accept 15,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://nametalk.007sites.com/Archive/693528.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Ha ha, thanks folks for the information.
Here is what I have received:
1st Mail:
Hello,
What is the price of your domain?
We are very interested in it. Good domains are wise investment in the future. We are in real estate business. Our company is interested in easy-to-remember domain names.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Ronald Isaacks
CEO
JPS Online Real Estate LLC
isaacks@theonlinebrokerage.com
2n Email:
Can you accept 15,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://nametalk.007sites.com/Archive/693528.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
My Reply:
I just needed a few clarifications from you before going further and put up my domain for appraisal:
? What happens if the valuation is much lower than your offer price of 15000 usd? (The domain was registered very recently!)
? Is there any other way or method to carry forward this negotiation without going for appraisal?
The Domain having been registered very recently, I have my apprehensions about going for an evaluation!
Please let me know your concerns on the above, so that we can proceed further.
Awaiting your reply,
Thanks & Best Regards,
Venkatesh.K.L.
His Reply:
It’s a standard practice to show independent valuation to buyers/resellers.
Nobody will do business without it. I’m a businessman and have no intention of changing rules which help both parties to avoid additional risks.
Of course, investors never take into account auto-generated valuations. So manual valuation is a “must” too.
I read the following information about appraisals at:
http://nametalk.007sites.com/Archive/693528.htm
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.
Too many coincidence and what a wonderful way it would be to make money by selling domains registered 2 weeks before for 15000usd. ha ha ha
I’m an Internet Marketer based in Nigeria.
The same guy by the Michael Eagleson lured me into using DomainExplorer.org to do a Manual Appraisal on my domain names: CPAMoneyVault.com and iMusicVault.com
But what I loved is that before he could lay his hands on my funds, I have found out what he is and asked Plimus to refund my money back which they did.
Please, never fall for this guy. He is a crook.
Take care!
Ken Nwankwo
Here’s another similar scam along the lines of the example posted here:
www.dynamoo.com/blog/2009/03/pozdecom-domain-valuation-scam.html
_
Enquiry received out of the blue May 26:
Dear Sir or Madam,
We are interested to buy your domain name XXXXXXXXXX.COM and offer to buy it from you for 65% of the appraised market value.
As of now we accept appraisals from either one of the following leading appraisal companies:
sedo.com
podzz.com
accuratedomains.com
If you already have an appraisal please forward it to us.
As soon as we have received your appraisal we will send you our payment (we use Paypal for amounts less than $2,000 and escrow.com for amounts above $2,000) as well as further instructions on how to complete the transfer of the domain name.
We appreciate your business,
Yours truly,
J. Harris
(Scammer’s email: john.harris39@gmail.com)
Wow, they are going right for the domain names now!! Wonder how they are scamming Paypal?
This is hilarious…
John Harris just got in touch with me too…
“Dear Sir or Madam,
We are interested to buy your domain name BLUETIGERARMY.COM and offer to buy it from you for 65% of the appraised market value.
As of now we accept appraisals from either one of the following leading appraisal companies:
sedo.com
podzz.com
accuratedomains.com
If you already have an appraisal please forward it to us.
As soon as we have received your appraisal we will send you our payment (we use Paypal for amounts less than $2,000 and escrow.com for amounts above $2,000) as well as further instructions on how to complete the transfer of the domain name.
We appreciate your business,
Yours truly,
J. Harris”
….this forum was a big help. You guys just helped me save a bunch of money.
Much appreciated!
_
Here’s more reports of the same scam / spam email:
www.virtual-coach.com/forums/internet-marketing/1295-domain-name-buying-scam.html
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=21849899
All I can say is “Wow!” I was contacted by Ronald Isaacks offering me $15,000 USD for my domains (StopMethAbuse.com – AmericanYouth.net – LifeCoachingForTeens.com).
He asked for an appraisal so I had one done at DomainAppraisal.org – then emailed Isaacks the results. Immediately he complained that appraisal was useless and that website was a scam.
He then insisted I use DomainExplorer.org, at which point I became suspicious, googled his company, and found this site. Thanks for the heads-up on this scammer!
If I weren’t so busy these days I’d seriously find a way to shut his website down!
SCAM:
from: shecter@theonlinebrokerage.com
dateThu, Jun 4, 2009 at 7:24 PM
subject: crazythinking.com sent (06/04/09)
hide details Jun 4 (1 day ago) Reply
Hello,
Hello,
What is the price of your domain?
We are very interested in it. Good domains are wise investment in the
future. We are in real estate business. Our company is interested in
easy-to-remember domain names.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Robb Shecter
President
The Online Real Estate LLC
I found this page by googling: “selling a domain without valuation” after I got an email from a Robb Shecter, same EXACT message:
from shecter@theonlinebrokerage.com
to *my email*
date Fri, Jun 5, 2009 at 10:18 PM
subject *my domain name* sent (06/05/09)
Hello,
What is the price of your domain?
We are very interested in it. Good domains are wise investment in the
future. We are in real estate business. Our company is interested in
easy-to-remember domain names.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Robb Shecter
President
The Online Real Estate LLC
And then this one when I “bit” on his offer.
My wife gave birth to a child. Aplogies for delay with response. We celebrated!
$$$$$. Ok
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://nametalk.007sites.com/Archive/695372.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Thank god I did
I just got mine from:
John Mike
CEO
Elite Invest LLC
Thanks for posting this information.
Thanks for this post.
I’ve had a similar experience, which is why I searched to see if it was a reported scam.
The email patter was almost identical to those quoted above.
Name:
Robb Shecter, President, The Online Real Estate LLC.
Email: shecter@theonlinebrokerage.com
I received the same e-mail after listing on sedo.
Same guy sent me a mail
Name:
Robb Shecter, President, The Online Real Estate LLC.
Email: shecter@theonlinebrokerage.com
But now I am thinking its a machine that’s sending out the mails and not a person , all the email formats are the same and may be one or two changes .
I wanted to take him for a ride and told him which appraiser you want me to use, still he goes about explaining from the script.
Crazy guys good we are informed.
Thanks
Ren
I just recieved the same scam email I did not bite though. This article did help but it doesn’t solve the problem did someone check up the whois information theonlinebrokerage.com? Did they report the theonlinebrokerage.com to the UK authroities about theonlinebrokerage.com and one of it’s user trying to scam people? If anything if this site doesn’t have legitimate credentials they can shutdown the site based on that. Then it will stop this user from sending more scam emails out to other sedo users…Like I said this article is great with alot of testimonies but if nothing is getting done then it is all a waste of even typing about it..
I just contacted godaddy and checked whois..the guys name that owns theonlinebrokerage.com is Thomas Smerdon. I will be contatcting the authorities once I get his full credentials and try and get theonlinebrokerage shutdown.
Alright found out his credentials though I am not from the UK and don’t know who to contact I was wondering if someone would contact the UK authorities his full credentials are:
Registrant:
Thomas Smerdon
11 High Street
Stoke, Hamdon TA14 6PP
United Kingdom
Scot, do you think he will stop I doubt, he will register another one website and start operating from there, If sedo can send a emailer to all saying avoid this scam , I think that might help.
Ren
I found this too late! I received the email from john.harris39@gmail.com and used accurate domains for the appraisal. Thank goodness I searched this before moving forward. I am only out $27.
Is there anything I can do to get my money back? Or at least report this guy? Thx!
Hi Marty
You can try this http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/reporting.php
But as far as the 27$ its gone for a good lesson learnt. Just do a research before paying anything, that’s the lesson I learnt, Take care buddy
Ren
Ebay removed 4 of my domain listings at 3 am , got an email from onlinebrokarage at 3:30 wanting to buy my domains, I wonder if he was the one who got my listings removed somehow, called ebay and I’m trying to get them back on, nothing wrong with my auctions
Well they suckered me – it was ‘Alex Wargacki’ who sent the emails offering 15,000 euros for 4 domains – and being a newbie to domain trading I was reeled in like a fish. I should’ve known better as I’m usually the suspicious type but there you go… But the credit card company and bank are going after these guys and I’m filing an IC3 with the FBI. My bank has already reimbursed me for the loss while they chase these rats. They operate behind proxy servers in Arizona. Can anybody confirm this Thomas Smerdon is a bonefide person and this address is genuine?
Valance, did you actually give over the domains? Do you park it somewhere or give your password? Just curious how they get you.
Thanks everyone for your replies and for ‘looking out’ for each other!
I have my domains parked at a few broker sites including sedo and that seems to be where they are finding them. I didn’t hand over any domains – just USD$230 for their ‘appraisals’. I’m curious to know who’s behind their Spokane phone number – gonna give them a call soon.
These guys are very clever, as we talk there will be a lot of people like us who is being duped and there should be some kind of alliance between the appraisal companies and these guys. Luckily I was warned earlier by my friend.
Thanks
Ren
I received the exact same email as above, with the exact same text! The person who contacted me called himself Mark Greenwald, CEO of www.theonlinebrokerage.com, and he also referenced the 007sites bog, and suggested that I use domainexplorer.org to appraise several of my domains that I had recently listed for sale on Sedo.com. Luckily, I became suspicious of him, and ceased communicating with him. P.S. I normally don’t post comment on the internet, but this was for a worthy cause. Seller beware!
This is very amusing. I also received the same letter from someone named Mark Greenwald, a real estate broker. I noticed right away that he was trying to lead me to that certain appraisal company (domainexploer.org) and my guess was that he owned that company and was trying to get traffic to it. Just to humor myself, I had one of my domain names appraised at a free online domain company and they sent me results within 2 hours. They estimated my domain worth about $600. I sent Mark that information to see what he would do. Of course…he wasn’t interested in that appraisal. Thanks for posting this blog..it’s an eye opener and I hope nobody goes as far as to actually pay money at this scam’s appraisal company.
Mine is a different CEO too!
Ledingham [ledingham@theonlinebrokerage.com]
Hello,
>>
>> Are you interested in sale of your domain? Please name your price.
>>
>> We are in real estate. But we are very interested in Internet names and
>> web sites too.
>>
>> If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
>>
>> Looking forward to do business with you.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Matthew Ledingham
>>
>> CEO
>>
>> OBN Real Estate LLC
David, please share the free appraisal site with us. Thanks!
Just got one of these:
We were celebrating newborn child of my cousine. I apologize for delay with my answer.
10000. Ok.
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://discussdomains.007sites.com/Archive/8063751.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Friends care because they are there:
This was sent to me on 08/08/2009 for a company of such …. WWW.theonlinebrokerage.com
Watch as they are to attack back.
We were celebrating newborn child of my cousine. I apologize for delay with my answer.
Can you accept 15,000 USD for the following package:
clinic-express.com
drestranhoamor.com
epral.com
escolasconducao.com
Euroteste.com
euroexpansao.com
familyjackson.com
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://discussdomains.007sites.com/Archive/8063751.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
—– Original Message —–
From: “Miguel Angelo Patricio”
To:
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 8:27 AM
Subject: RE: clinic-express.com (sent 08/05/09)
Hello Friend.
I hope that everything is running well.
I will not tell you how I am interested in selling the domain before waiting
for their proposal.
This is my list of domains to which I will buy and then turn on power
projects.
At the moment I am more to reverse the 2nd
I hope you enjoy some call special attention to the clinic-express.com,
burakasomsistema.com and badlieutenant.com, search on google and will have
great answers …. great eheheheh
Strong hug and I await your response on whether to buy some or not.
No more at present
Yours sincerely
Miguel Angelo Patricio
Sorry for my bad English … :-)
adp-adubosdeportugal.com
algarvepromotion.com
AGEL-GLOBAL.COM
AKI-AH.COM
AOLARGO.COM
AUTOCONFIANCA.COM
ANTONIOAUGUSTUS.COM
badlieutenant.com – NEW Sound Music – HOT
BESTNUDE.NET
bosford.net
burakasomsistema.com – NEW Sound Music – HOT
cafevia.com
cabaretdacoxa.com
cabaretdacoxa.info
calve.us
capoeirabrasil.net
casaspt.com
checkin365.com
clinic-express.com
drestranhoamor.com
epral.com
escolasconducao.com
Euroteste.com
euroexpansao.com
familyjackson.com
familyjackson.info
fonedafone.com
graofino.com
imobiliariadeluxo.com
industriaporto.com
Ipbeja.COM
infogps.net
infogps.info
jackson3.us
jacksons3.com
jacksons3.info
k2o3.com
katorz.com
Kuiky.com
kurbanbeach.com
MOHAMEDBINISSAALJABER.com
Miguelpatricio.com
naterciapintor.com
nexpresso.net
optimustag.com
oprimeiroeunico.com
petairways.us
PETAIRLINE.INFO
provaoral.com
pmscoffee.com
portugalhosting.com
primeiroeunico.com
rubberwings.com
samsungmobile.us
sequestros.com
snacksupplies.com
turismoequestre.net
tiagobettencourt.com
TSUNAMYPOWERSYSTEM.COM
tmnmoche.com
tns-euroteste.com
tns-global.us
tulicreme.com
ultrasportugal.com
winpt.com
XICORACAO.COM —- Project
yornextravaganza.com
—–Mensagem original—–
De: lander@theonlinebrokerage.com
Enviada: quarta-feira, 5 de Agosto de 2009 16:31
Para: XXXXXX@XXXXX.com
Assunto: clinic-express.com (sent 08/05/09)
Hello,
Are you interested in sale of your domain? Please name your price.
We are in hosting and domain business. But we are very interested in
Internet names and web sites too.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Daniel Lander
CEO
TB Hosting LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
And it goes on.
I had posted here before, when I got the last round of fake appraisal emails. Here’s their newest version:
From – Tue Aug 11 08:34:13 2009
Delivered-To:
Return-Path:
Received: from LINKSYS (domainstoreonline.net [64.186.128.191])
resaledomain@gmail.com
Message-Id:
From: “Domain Resale”
Subject: Domain name RUBY-ON-RAILS.INFO
T
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Organization: Domain Resale
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:01:53 -0300
Dear Sir,
we are interested to buy your domain name RUBY-ON-RAILS.INFO and offer 65% of the appraised market value.
As of now we accept appraisals from either one of the following leading appraisal companies:
sedo.com
pddomains.com
accuratedomains.com
If you already have an appraisal please forward it to us.
As soon as we have received your appraisal we will send you our payment (we use Paypal for amounts less than $2,000 and escrow.com for amounts above $2,000) as well as further instructions on how to complete the transfer of the domain name.
We appreciate your business,
Domain Resale
Oh, I forgot to mention, I haven’t owned that domain for quite some time. So they were barking up the wrong tree anyway…..
Here is my experience 3 days after listing on Sedo.
friedman@thedomaininvestors.com to me
show details Jan 19 (1 day ago)
Hello,
We buy and sell domains and web prjects. What is your price for the domain?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Daniel Friedman
President
Online Investment & Consulting LLC
—
Good day Daniel,
Knowing the huge potential for the Blastoff Network, I registered this domain with the intention of building an information and signup portal and my web designer is scheduled to begin the project by mid-Feb and I am anxious to have him begin. However, I might be interested in selling the domain if the price was right. What is your offer?
Sincerely,
Trevor
—
Friedman to me
show details 4:19 AM (10 hours ago)
Can you accept 5,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive-09-2009/8137251.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
—
Hello Daniel,
Thanks for your e-mail.
I did use your suggestion and use swiftappraisal.com and it suggested $6500-$9700. Although all components of the valuation were very clear, one component was more of a guess. For how big a market is this domain to be used for. I put a big market as I feel Blastoff will be a popular way people will buy things online. However, if it is not as popular as I think it may be and it is only good for a medium sized market, then it values it a bit less.
However, I do feel there is tremendous potential with this program and the opportunities for making money (especially at 10 levels deep) is deep and may be worth more than $5000 to me. I love the domain. Anyone going online interested in joining Blastoff will surely be going to the internet looking for more info. Joiningblastoff.com just seems like a natural fit and will be developed into a website giving more info on the program and of course, many benefits to joining blastoff – and then my referral link scattered all throughout, of course.
But I’ve always been a “one bird in the hand is better than two in the bush’ kind of guy so how does $6500 sound? No website is created yet, so it would just be the domain.
My preferred method would, of course, be escrow.com
Looking forward to your reply.
Trevor
—
Friedman to me
show details 1:40 PM (44 minutes ago)
It’s a standard practice to show independent valuation to buyers/resellers.
Nobody will do business without it. I’m a businessman and have no intention
of changing rules which help both parties to avoid additional risks.
Of course, investors never take into account auto-generated valuations. So
manual valuation is a “must” too.
I read the following information about appraisals at:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive-09-2009/8137251.htm
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.
—
and this is where red flags popped up and I found this site. I e-mailed him telling him I am no longer interested in selling.
Hey Travor,
I also got email from this person Danial Friedman yesterday only. It is exactly the way you have mentioned above word to word. I was feeling great that after listing my domains in Sedo at the 2nd day itself i got an offer Wow. But one thing was again and again blinking in my mind Sedo never gives your contact details to buyer until he makes an offer so definitely he did whois check up and found my email and instead of making an offer why is he contacting me directly. I made a search in Google about it and got this Blog. Hope this blog will save others from such spammers
Message 1:
Hello,
We buy and sell domains and web pr®jects. What is your price for the domain?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Sebastian Brucker
CEO
Web Investment & Consulting LLC
Message 2:
Can you accept 5,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
[URL REMOVED - TD]
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Same email coming from Sebastian Brucker, email brucker@thedomaininvestors.com
Thought it was suspicious because domain thedomaininvestors.com was registered only this past December (less than 2 months ago).
I just got several emails from the scammer too. HE won’t buy my domain name without an appraisal… it’s a good way to get appraisals sold ! I worked it out on the first email, and I said, that he is welcome to get an appraisal, and he insists that it’s my job to do so. What a load of crap ! Not even a good try ! what a weenie !
don’t respond to this creep brucker@thedomaininvestors.com
Just put him on a crap load of email lists…
- John
Ditto re brucker@thedomaininvestors.com. And huge thanks for this blog!
hi! Thanks for brucker@thedomaininvestors.com. Have I today too a nice Mail.
oh God. I guess I just got scammed. Help. He had me get an appraisal from researchappraisals. spent $175. What should I do? I forwarded him the appraisal info. HELP!
Jennifer, you can report him to the FBI, but as for your money, it is gone.. I got scammed too.. Chris
more hilarious Chris is that i have a family member in the FBI and one that works for the CBBB. Now you would think that would make me more aware! UGH! This guy is still emailing me like this deal is going to happen. Brucker! I am disputing the transaction… reporting everyone along the line. I will post if I get it remedied. Thanks Chris for making me feel better. My husband thinks I’m an idiot! LOL
FYI… other people involved
http://www.researchappraisals.com
info@namesaleshop.com
Sara Almudhaf Customer Support
they are using SWREG Inc to do the secure transaction through PayPal. I have already called paypal to make them aware. They gave me phone numbers for the company – none of them work.
Well, Jennifer, you can tell your hubby that a guy who is fairly savvy in these things got scammed too, to the tune of $95.00.. What they do next, is “buy” the domain, and send you a money order that is bogus.. It looks real, and cashes real, but then when it comes back, you are left holding the bag.. and without your domain too. These guys belong in jail!
Add this one to the list of suspects:
“samuelson@thedomaininvestors.com
Brian Samuelson
CEO
WHC Web Hosting Consulting & Investment LLC”
Thanks for this heads up, I was just contacted by:
Brian Samuelson
CEO
WHC Web Hosting Consulting & Investment LLC
and doing a search on the company´s name I came across this post. Thank you for making this and saving me time and frustration! :)
ye i just got Brian Samuelson email too.
Just got a “Brian Samuelson” email as well. Thank God for this blog!
Hi,
I have set up some sedo listings recently and I got very much similar mails which are very much fit in the outlined scam script:
Scamster’s mail#1:
———————-
From: samuelson@thedomaininvestors.com [mailto:samuelson@thedomaininvestors.com]
Sent: 14 February 2010 13:52
To: Jeno Jakab
Subject: nightlycash.com (sent 02/14/10)
Hello,
We buy and sell domains and web pr®jects. What is your price for the domain?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Brian Samuelson
CEO
——–
I replied him with some of my listed names and the guy came back with almost the same text which Danny gave with his case.
Scamster’s mail#2:
————————
Jeno,
Can you accept 3,000 USD?
I’m also interested in
onlinewhiskeystore.com
celebritybeaches.com
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
Without the independent valuation from a trusted source we don’t spend a penny. This is our financial policy. So our offer is just a rought estimate. If the appraisal comes higher we are ready to offer a bit more. If it comes lower we will discuss the price with you again.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive-09-2009/81963527.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
——————
I replied that I had heard about domain appraisal scams so to buy my domains he would be encouraged to place bids on the sedo listings. He came back exactly as in the Danny’s case.
Scamster’s mail#3:
————————
——————————————————————————–
From: Samuelson [mailto:samuelson@thedomaininvestors.com]
Sent: 14 February 2010 22:35
To: Jeno Jakab
Subject: Re: nightlycash.com (sent 02/14/10)
It’s a standard practice to show independent valuation to buyers/resellers.
Nobody will do business without it. I’m a businessman and have no intention
of changing rules which help both parties to avoid additional risks.
Of course, investors never take into account auto-generated valuations. So
manual valuation is a “must” too.
I read the following information about appraisals at:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive-09-2009/81963527.htm
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.
————
Currently, we are here.
Hi,
I to just received an email from Brian. Thanks for posting this info, glad I did some research.
Thanks
Gavin
2010/2/14
Hello,
We buy and sell domains and web pr®jects. What is your price for the domain?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Brian Samuelson
CEO
WHC Web Hosting Consulting & Investment LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IS FOR REGISTRY SIMILAR DOMAINS THAN YOURS
Ok, just got this:
Hello,
We buy and sell domains and web pr®jects. What is your price for the domain?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Brian Samuelson
CEO
WHC Web Hosting Consulting & Investment LLC
Email it came from: samuelson@thedomaininvestors.com
So, now that I checked it out and know its a scam, its time to take these people for a ride by sending numerous emails that make them THINK they’re about to get me and a wad of cash and a truck load of other customers hahaha. Bahahahah.
Add one to the list for “brucker@thedomaininvestors.org.” Same script initially only I engaged him long enough to get a real trail and eventually the script just repeated itself only the email begins with a new amount. (First “offer” was for $15k, then circled around to $5k)
It looks like it might be auto-generated….
I had a little fun by replying to him/it with the following:
“Mr .Brucker, AKA “Samuelson”, “Brian Samuelson”, “Sebastian Brucker”, “Danial Friedman”:
After considerable research and consultation with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations, I have readily determined that this entire email conversation qualifies as fraud and hereby demand that you cease and desist in any further communication with me regarding this matter.
All of this correspondence, as well as other corroborating evidence gathered through research, has been handed over to the FBI and local authorities for further investigation.
I advise you to seek immediate legal counsel in preparation of your defense. You’re going to need it.
Michael”
It won’t go anywhere, but it felt good. :)
that sucks, i honestly thought i was $25,000 richer!
Brian Samuelson contacted me as well today. Here we go, Google find this!
——————————————————————
samuelson@thedomaininvestors.com to me
show details 8:41 AM (10 hours ago)
Hello,
We buy and sell domains and web pr®jects. What is your price for the domain?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Brian Samuelson
CEO
WHC Web Hosting Consulting & Investment LLC
=========================================
Email 2
=========================================
I’ve discussed the price with my partners.
Can you accept 5,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive-09-2009/81963527.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
thank u for your information danny..
i also contacted by “Brian Samuelson” yesterday
he send me email just like @Icehawg
but i don’t bite…
Yeah, I too got bitten in the past and paid some 18 Euros. Today I got another from a “Brian Samuelson”. I googled his name and came here. Exact some scenario. The idiot!
UPDATE… I actually got the transaction reversed. company was SWREG inc…. FRAUD! My favorite thing that happened was them emailing me a number to call at their company that was a non-working number. Then when I emailed back and said I want to speak with someone they told me they are in Europe so there is a time difference. Ummm… it wasn’t that no one answered… it’s a non-working number! Scammers!
Yayyyyyy!!! Congratulations Jennifer! did you turn them in to the FBI as well?
SWREG, Inc. is probably just the payment processor and not actually associated (other than as a service provider) with this clown hocking bogus appraisals. They would show on your statement as the company reversing the charge because they are the clearing house that is registered with Visa/MC, etc. SWREG seems to have a bit of a track record of providing payment clearinghouse services to less than scrupulous companies, particularly foreign ones. :(
the actual ip of the scammer: 213.140.225.228
that’s the block those messages generates from
inetnum: 213.140.225.0 – 213.140.226.255
netname: CTC-Odincovo-NF_ATM
remarks: INFRA-AW
descr: Odincovo netflow pool
country: RU
admin-c: AVK103-RIPE
tech-c: AVK103-RIPE
status: ASSIGNED PA
mnt-by: MNT-CTC
source: RIPE # Filtered
person: Andry V. Kiselev
address: Joint-Stock Central Telecommunication Company
address: 29/2 Narodnogo Opolcheniya str.,
address: 123154, Moscow
address: Russia
remarks: phone: +7 095 5761099
phone: +7 495 5761099
remarks: fax-no: +7 095 4085299
fax-no: +7 495 4085299
e-mail: kiselev@centelcom.ru
nic-hdl: AVK103-RIPE
source: RIPE # Filtered
remarks: modified for Russian phone area changes
% Information related to ’213.140.224.0/19AS25515′
route: 213.140.224.0/19
descr: DELEGATED BLOCK
descr: Joint-Stock Central Telecommunication Company
descr: RU
origin: AS25515
mnt-by: CTC-MNT
source: RIPE # Filtered
kind regards
Ya i’m glad i did some research on this guy before emailing him back a second time. I havent gotten scammed but the latest name he is going under is Robert Warner, and he is claiming to be from Warner Interenet Investment LLC. Dont waste your time or money people. Sounds like they need to be caught.
I too just received an email several days ago from ‘Robert Warner’ asking how much I wanted for a domain. The body of his email was just as mentioned above in this thread. He is insisting I get an appraisal done before he makes an offical offer. I’ve gone back and forth with him approx 5 times, but the exchanges got more bizaar as they went along.
I think this guy may be in Linkedin, so be careful of Robert Warner’s in Linkedin as well.
I’ll admit when I first saw this, I didn’t see it as a scam. I thought it was just an attempt to boost sales for the guy’s appraisal business. Either way, I’m no fool.
I also like to engage scammers, so my results were very similar to yours, but my favorite response was when I told him that if a buyer really wants an appraisal, they can purchase one themselves from any company they choose. He wrote back with:
“It’s a big risk to proceed without professional valuation. I already spoke
to industry experts and they prohibited me to do business without
valuation..
Without manual valuation nobody will buy. You’ll sit on your domain for
years in this case, paying renewal fees to your registrar. Just think about
it. So sooner or later, you’ll have to obtain an appraisal. Why waste time
now?
As a seller, you can use a valuation certificate to sell names to other
buyers. I cannot do the same because I don’t keep control over your domain.
I’m still interested in your domain. Hope you’ll change your position. I
simply don’t want to take additional risks.
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.”
I just loved how he skips right over the point I made about buyers getting their own appraisals and goes right into he speel again.
Anyway, here were the keywords in my correspondence:
Email: bortfeld@domainsecondhand.com
Domain: domainsecondhand.com
Yesterday I got mailed by this guy called :
Robert Warner
CEO
Warner Internet Investment LLC
Mail :
Subject : Your domain name
Hello,
We buy and sell domains and web pr®jects. What is your price for the domain?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Robert Warner
CEO
Warner Internet Investment LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
Hello Mr. Warner,
I was wondering if you are interested in purchasing the domain via Sedo interface. Right now I have ordered an appraisal for the domain [my domain.com] [I am kind of new to this field so I can\'t trust my own judgement :) ], but feel free to quote the price at which you are willing to buy it [the appraisal process takes 7 days to complete]. I have a couple other domains for sale as well, I can give you the list link on Sedo, if you want, or send you the list in an excel sheet.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Sushant
From : Warner
Sedo is a good broker and we can use it for transfer/transaction.
Unfortunately , Sedo is not acceptable as an appraiser because your names
are listed with them and they are not independent. They are interested in
earning 10% commission on every sale. I need appraisals from a company
which is not interested in selling your domains.
I heard many appraisal companies often made inaccurate appraisals. So I
cannot accept appraisal from each and every site. I will only accept
appraisals from independent appraisal companies I know and trust.
I was just contacted as well by: pendzinski@thedomaininvestors.com
Told him to get lost and find a real job.
Thanks everyone.
here is my correspondence with Mr. Robert Warner from “Warner internet investment LLC”:
[ThatDanny Comment: Katie\'s email address and surname were removed so that she does not get spammed]
Re: HAVEAWOMANDOIT.COM (sent 03/04/10)?
From: Warner (warner@thedomaininvestors.com)
Sent: Fri 3/05/10 1:03 PM
To: katie
It’s a big risk to proceed without professional valuation. I already spoke
to industry experts and they prohibited me to do business without
valuation..
Without manual valuation nobody will buy. You’ll sit on your domain for
years in this case, paying renewal fees to your registrar. Just think about
it. So sooner or later, you’ll have to obtain an appraisal. Why waste time
now?
As a seller, you can use a valuation certificate to sell names to other
buyers. I cannot do the same because I don’t keep control over your domain.
I’m still interested in your domain. Hope you’ll change your position. I
simply don’t want to take additional risks.
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.
—– Original Message —–
From: katie
To: warner@thedomaininvestors.com
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 4:44 PM
Subject: RE: HAVEAWOMANDOIT.COM (sent 03/04/10)
Mr. Warner,
I appreciate you interest in HAVEAWOMANDOIT.COM. I’m not opposed to selling, I’m just not interested in purchasing an appraisal at this time.
Sincerely,
Katie
From: warner@thedomaininvestors.com
To: Katie
Subject: Re: HAVEAWOMANDOIT.COM (sent 03/04/10)
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 10:47:04 +0300
It’s a standard practice to show independent valuation to buyers/resellers.
Nobody will do business without it. I’m a businessman and have no intention
of changing rules which help both parties to avoid additional risks.
Of course, investors never take into account auto-generated valuations. So
manual valuation is a “must” too.
I read the following information about appraisals at:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/75142903.htm
Without the independent valuation from a trusted source we don’t spend a
penny. This is our financial policy. So our offer is just a rought estimate.
If the appraisal comes higher we are ready to offer a bit more. If it comes
lower we will discuss the price with you again.
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.
Hope we can come to an agreement fast because I’ll be on vacation soon.
—– Original Message —–
From: katie
To: warner@thedomaininvestors.com
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 6:19 AM
Subject: RE: HAVEAWOMANDOIT.COM (sent 03/04/10)
I have not had my domain name evaluated, but I will be happy to do so. Please provide me with the names of 3 or 4 of the independent sources that you and your partners trust!
Thank you!
From: warner@thedomaininvestors.com
To: katie
Subject: Re: HAVEAWOMANDOIT.COM (sent 03/04/10)
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 02:26:20 +0300
Can you accept 5,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/75142903.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
—– Original Message —–
From: katie
To: warner@thedomaininvestors.com
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 9:30 PM
Subject: RE: HAVEAWOMANDOIT.COM (sent 03/04/10)
what is you offer?
From: warner@thedomaininvestors.com
To: katie
Subject: HAVEAWOMANDOIT.COM (sent 03/04/10)
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 05:46:32 -0500
Hello,
We buy and sell domains and web pr®jects. What is your price for the domain?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Robert Warner
CEO
Warner Internet Investment LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
This guy name Pendzinski also contact me today, hohoho.
Beware guys!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello,
We buy and sell domains and web pr®jects. What is your price for the domain?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Frank Pendzinski
CEO
Smart Internet Investment LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
Can you accept 5,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/85162904.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
I had a very short interaction with Frank Pendzinski of Smart Internet Investment LLC who sent the same initial email, but was for a domain that expired over a year ago that I never renewed. I responded with: “$10,000. Please note the domain name is my company name, which is Trademark protected.” – he persisted, to my surprise, with the next message about appraisals. There’s no IP address in the email headers so I can’t even block it!
just got one of these and fell for it…. trying to get my money back from swreg, god im such an idiot. I am extremely IT litereate and aware of lots of scams but as I had only listed the domain on sedo like 3 days ago, I had assumed it was a genuine offer and It didnt click. Imagine how many people who arent as It literate as some of us he has scammed?
cito.mobi (sent 04/29/10) 14:02
From: “ridding@elitenethosting.com” :
To: +++++++@yahoo.com
Hello,
How much do you ask for this domain (cito.mobi ) for sale?
Our company buy and sell domains and developed sites.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Brad Ridding
Re: cito.mobi (sent 04/29/10) 0:51
From: “++++++”
To: ridding@elitenethosting.com
Hi!
CITO.MOBI
This domain name without content is available for sale through Sedo’s Domain Marketplace.
http://www.sedo.co.uk/search/details.php4?domain=cito.mobi&language=ru&et_sub=64&partnerid=14456&et_cid=15&et_lid=16727
Listing Price:
5,000 EUR
AND:
runway.name
yogin.tel
asana.tel
CoffeeShop.name
BESTCALL.INFO
MEETandSEE.INFO
NEWTAXI.INFO
NEWTAXI.BIZ
LeaseBack.BIZ
CITO.MOBI
Hooligan.name
Best Regards,
Alex
Re: cito.mobi (sent 04/29/10) 2:50
From: “Brad Ridding”
To: “^+++++”
5000 eur. Ok
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/87358206.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
—– Original Message —–
Another failed attempt:
————- FIRST EMAIL ————
Hello,
We buy/resell domains and developed sites. Now we consider your domain.
What is your price?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Jason Bergeron
CEO
Elite Hosting Solutions LLC
——- SECOND EMAIL———
800 for both. Ok
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/86951204.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
—————THIRD EMAIL ————-
It’s a standard practice to show independent valuation to buyers/resellers.
Nobody will do business without it. I’m a businessman and have no intention
of changing rules which help both parties to avoid additional risks.
Of course, investors never take into account auto-generated valuations. So
manual valuation is a “must” too.
I read the following information about appraisals at:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/87358206.htm
Without the independent valuation from a trusted source we don’t spend a
penny. This is our financial policy. So our offer is just a rought estimate.
If the appraisal comes higher we are ready to offer a bit more. If it comes
lower we will discuss the price with you again.
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.
——————-
At this point I figured out it smells, googled for one of the links in his email and came across this site.
Thanks for the heads up.
Jennifer,
How could you get your money back from them?
I paid them to via swreg.org and paypal. I would like to get my money back.
Here is my version:
—-
Hello,
How much do you ask for this domain for sale?
Our company buy and sell domains and developed sites.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Brad Ridding
CEO
Elite Network Solutions LLC
—-
I forgot to add his email: ridding@elitenethosting.com
He showed me that: http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/87358206.htm
He wanted me to get appraisal from http://bestdomainexperts.com/
The site is almost the exact copy of http://www.drneubauer.com/
I believe they are scammers too
After i registrered a domain and put it on sedo i got this reaction. Offcourse i google first when i get those kind of mails:
Hello,
How much do you ask for this domain for sale?
Our company buy and sell domains and developed sites.
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Brad Ridding
CEO
Elite Network Solutions LLC
ridding@elitenethosting.com
….I received the same mail form young@elitenethosting.com …..
the only different is the name….
Hi,
Me too, I received the same email from young@elitenethosting.com
Thanks for sharing that info!
I just received that email today
Me too. Thanks for the warning
These guys are very busy, Joe Young contacted me yesterday!
Thank you for your help everyone. I just joined Sedo and had these guys contact me. But with your help see all is well( my final comment to them). I also copied and pasted this blog to them.
From: goncalves@elitenethosting.com
>
> Subject: carelongterm.org (sent 05/21/10)
> Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 04:19:13 -0700
>
> Hello,
>
> How much do you ask for this domain for sale?
>
> Our company invests in domains and developed web sites. If you have other
> domains for sale feel free to send your list.
>
> Looking forward to do business with you.
>
> Regards,
>
> Daniel Golcaves
>
> Vice President
>
> Elite Web Investing Solutions LLC
From: goncalves@elitenethosting.com
Subject: Re: carelongterm.org (sent 05/21/10)
Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 07:02:54 +0400
Can you accept 5,000 USD?
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.
Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/87569204.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
It’s a standard practice to show independent valuation to buyers/resellers.
Nobody will do business without it. I’m a businessman and have no intention
of changing rules which help both parties to avoid additional risks.
Of course, investors never take into account auto-generated valuations. So
manual valuation is a “must” too.
I read the following information about appraisals at:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/87569204.htm
Without the independent valuation from a trusted source we don’t spend a
penny. This is our financial policy. So our offer is just a rought estimate.
If the appraisal comes higher we are ready to offer a bit more. If it comes
lower we will discuss the price with you again.
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.
My reply “I guess it’s time for you to go fck yourself!
Again Thanks everyone for the Heads-up. Bless you All!
Sellers name is now Daniel Goncalves and the scam appraisal site has now changed to BestDomainExperts.com.
Nearly had me as they offered what I had been asking, just wondered why they didnt do it through sedo, so did a little research ;)
Thanks
Yes these guys are busy. Been corresponding with Andrew Stolz (stolz@elitenethosting.com) He seemed to be pushing the specific site to do an appraisal so I quickly got a strange feeling about them. I can see how a less experienced user might get sucked into this scam. His emails were strange though, spent allot of time putting down other appraisers and focusing only on this one option. Do not do business with these guys, complete scam.
Daniel Goncalves
Did it to me too…..
Good news is AMX will not honor the charges.
Good Old Scammer Daniel Goncalves of Elite Net Hosting sent this to me.
Sedo is a good broker and we can use it for transfer/transaction.
Unfortunately , Sedo is not acceptable as an appraiser because your names
are listed with them and they are not independent. They are interested in
earning 10% commission on every sale. I need appraisals from a company
which is not interested in selling your domains.
I heard many appraisal companies often made inaccurate appraisals. So I
cannot accept appraisal from each and every site. I will only accept
appraisals from independent appraisal companies I know and trust.
http://www.domainnamenews.com/legal-issues/grand-jury-indicts-daniel-goncalves-domain-theft-charges/6613
Follow-up
Looks like Daniel was arrested last year for domain theft.
Daniel wrote me another letter claiming that these posts are lies and that this is not good business. I think someone may be posing as him or his english is horrific.
Either way, I am out and do not care to deal with this gentlemen again.
Funny thing is, my next door neighbor is the Assistant District Attorney for my Federal District. He was aware of the arrest last year and has asked me to copy him on correspondence from Daniel.
His specialty is scams and the notorious Nigerian practices.
I was contacted by:
Michael Hardeman
CEO
Internet Name Investing & Hosting
Same type of email, first contact though. From elitenethosting.com and the domain is private as well.
Thank you so much for the warning. I’ve been contacted by Michael Hardeman, hardeman@elitenethosting.com. Same script.
Eh Eh, a quite entertaining scammer tale! And it’s interesting to see how these douchebag’s scripts can go.
Hay guys, Thanks for the warning recieved the following today:
Hello,
We have an offer for your domain name. What is your asking price?
Our company invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a
list of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer “dot coms” and easy-to-remember names.
Regards,
Michael Hardeman
CEO
Internet Name Investing & Hosting
I received 2 emails and found it funny that “Valuation” was so important to the potential buyer. Luckily I found this post. The first email was received soon after listing on Sedo.com.
Michael Hardeman, CEO, Internet Name Investing & Hosting
Email 1:
Hello,
We have an offer for your domain name. What is your asking price?
Our company invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a
list of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer “dot coms” and easy-to-remember names.
Regards,
Michael Hardeman
CEO
Internet Name Investing & Hosting
Email 2:
80,000. Ok.
I have a 350,000 USD budget for 5-8 domain names. Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, my accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates :-). On the other side, it’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage a valuation company with a REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my accountant trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and
buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/94752618.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations. Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
I got one, too from ‘Michael Hardeman’.
Funny how SEDO domains are being targeted
Offering to buy my domain for $5000
Sarawan
Almost forgot. If you get email spam or scammed, report the incident to the hosting and domain registrar at the very least. The more people who do this the faster these scams will die out. DomainByProxy and Godaddy.com won’t put up with this from any customer (in my opinion) and remember that all Terms of Services from your internet provider at home to your website hosting account forbid this type of action. Take a look at all your TOS and use them to fight back. https://supportcenter.godaddy.com/Abuse/SpamReport.aspx
When Michael Hardeman, CEO, offers me 5x my asking price, I get a little suspicious. Thanks for the blog!
M hardeman contacted me, it sounded somewhat plausible, and stupidly I paid for a valuation. What a sucker. I didn’t research it on the web first, of course having put a domain for sale I naturally hoped to receive emails about it .
So 59 euros down.. And what gave it away was they valued my domain at $135k – I thought that was ludicrous.
Mark
I got same email from Michael Hardeman CEO Internet Name Investing & Hosting
Now is is Jay Pressman in the email.s
I have deleted all my domains for sale from sedo
It seems to me that sedo should take a great deal of interest/concern in these folks using their site to scam. And if they do not, as apparently they are not, It leads me to believe they are involved.
Therefore I have removed my domains for sale told they why.
Same email here – same company – come on!
Hello,
We have an offer for your domain name. What is your asking price?
Our company invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a list of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer “dot coms” and easy-to-remember names.
Regards,
Jay Pressman
CEO
Internet Name Investing & Hosting
I’ve had the same! I partially fell for it and had my domains apraised by another company, not the one they recommended. But still I’m out of pocket here.
hardeman@elitenethosting.com
It seams to be elitenethosting.com, do not listen to emails from these!!! SCAM!!!
Got one this morning for one of my for-sale domains from:
Jeremy Hammond
CEO
Name Proffesionals Investing LLC
The spelling of ‘professionals’ immediately set alarm bells ringing that it was likely a scam.
did you submit a complain with the IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center, A partnership between the FBI, the National White Collar Crime Center and the Bureau of Justice Assistance). Must be the best way to fight this scam…
http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx
Identical e-mails from one “Jeremy Hammond” of thenamepros.com
I get the same letter from Ross Davis (davis@elitehostingnet.com), and stupidly I fall in their trap .After I write a complain, davis block my email ( I also tried to email him). I ask for the refund to ceo@namesaleshop.com and abuse@namesaleshop.com, but until now they didn’t reply my email for asking the refund.
And another one
From: Daniel Sullivan (sullivan@webhostingandmail.com)
Bla bla bla as per the above, insists on a valuation and offers the typical $5000 for the domain, initially thought as quite genuine as I have had a few valuations from automated systems which range from 3800 to 5100 BUT there is a part of me that I have adopted the bulsh*t detector, went through to the paid domain evaluation service and hesitated to click on the complete order button then my synical side decided to have a look round google and stumbled across this site, the template as discussed above is exactly the same as others have received as noted below:
Hello,
We have an offer for your domain name. What is your asking price?
Our company invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a
list
of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer “dot coms”, “dot nets” and easy-to-remember names.
Regards,
Daniel Sullivan
MBA, MSCE
Founder
Web Hosting & Domain Investment LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
Hows about I checked up on the domain his Email address was from and turns out to be around 2 hours drive from me in the UK, anyone happen to know how cheap housebricks are, damn good investment for a scammers car windscreen or better…
Daniel Sullivan contacted me as well today with the exact same text. It looks like the domains he is currently using are domainexplorer.org, webhostingandmail.com and of course the actual scam payoff site of certifieddomainvalue.com.
Ironically, the “forum” of domainexplorer.org root “site” is all about the apparent evils of using GoDaddy as a registrar. The irony is that all of the domains above use GoDaddy or at least domainsbyproxy.
I have been sent the same email from Daniel Sullivan it’s certainly a nasty scam this guy is pulling, i will be contacting GoDaddy, the more people that complain the quicker this scammer gets closed down. The valuation services he recommends strangely has only been created for few days.
certifieddomainvalue.com Created 18 ago 2010-07-02
BELOW IS THE SCAM EMAIL
Hello,
>
> We have an offer for your domain name. What is your asking price?
>
> Our company invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a
> list
> of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
> We prefer “dot coms”, “dot nets” and easy-to-remember names.
> Regards,
>
> Daniel Sullivan
>
> MBA, MSCE
>
> Founder
>
> Web Hosting & Domain Investment LLC
DO NOT AGREE TO ANYTHING FROM THIS COMPANY, THEY HAVE FAKE APPRAISALS SITES, IT IS A COMPLETE SCAM.
Daniel Sullivan must be a busy guy — I just got the email.
I’ll play along with him, just for fun. I’m asking $8,000,000 for BrakeService.biz. Takers, anyone? (Real price is $1,220 which now seems like an awesome bargain!)
same. Nice scam though, as scams go. subtle. wrote back and left a link to this post.
here’s the ‘forum’ he directed me to – reads like no other legit forum does so smelled planted. notice the root domain is inaccessible.
check it out…
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: A Fletcher
Date: Fri, Jul 23, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Subject: Re: .com (sent 07/23/10)
To: XXXXX
Can you accept 800 USD
I’m also interested in
I have a 35,000 USD budget for several domain names. Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, my accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates :-). On the other side, it’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage a valuation company with a REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my accountant trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable valuation companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/97428305.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations. Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
forgot to leave the link to the planted forum … : http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/97428305.htm
same from “Tim Bonehill” with Afternic-Invest.com (there is apparently a James Bonehill that works for Afternic.com). Crazy.
just have an email from zimmerman@name-deals.com Founder Hosting & Name Deals LLC . lol
Ahhh a Chris Zimmerman (zimmerman@?name-deals.?com) wanted to buy my domain. What a nice fella, too bad it was a scam. He could have had a nice website!
I’ve just had the same scam:
—– Original Message —–
From:
Hello,
We have a good offer for your domain name. What is your asking price?
Our company invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a list
of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text We prefer
“dot coms”, “dot nets” and easy-to-remember names.
—– Original Message —–
From: “Chris Zimmerman”
Hi
Can you accept 5,000 USD?
I have a 35,000 USD budget for 5-8 domain names. Have you had your domain
names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be
sure in the sale price. Moreover, my accountant and tax services always
ask for valaution certificates :-). On the other side, it’s very
important for me in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage a
valuation company with a REAL manual service. So I will only accept
valuations from independent sources I and my accountant trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal
companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and
buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/62170358.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking
price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% -
15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to
obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations. Do you sell domain with a web
site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is
not necessary.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire
transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
——– Original Message ——–
From: “Chris Zimmerman”
I see, but it’s a standard practice to show independent valuation to
buyers/resellers. Nobody will do business without it. I’m a businessman and
have no intention of changing rules which help both parties to avoid
additional risks.
Of course, investors never take into account auto-generated valuations. So
manual valuation is a “must” too.
I read the following information about appraisals at:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/62170358.htm
Without the independent valuation from a trusted source we don’t spend a
penny. This is our financial policy. So our offer is just a rought estimate.
If the appraisal comes higher we are ready to offer a bit more. If it comes
lower we will discuss the price with you again.
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.
Hope we can come to an agreement fast because I’ll be on vacation soon.
I had the same.
Hello,
We have a good offer for your domain name. What is your asking price?
Our company invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a
list
of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer “dot coms”, “dot nets” and easy-to-remember names.
Regards,
Chris Zimmerman
Founder
Hosting & Name Deals LLC
I REPLIED
YOU CHEEKY BUGGER, NEARLY GOT ME, GET A JOB
I’ve just had the same scam : “Chris Zimmerman “.
Thanks for sharing that info!
Submit a complain with the IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center, A partnership between the FBI, the National White Collar Crime Center and the Bureau of Justice Assistance). Must be the best way to fight this scam…
http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx
—– Original Message —–
From: zimmerman@name-deals.com
Date: Sat, Jul 31, 2010 at 09:35 AM
Subject: xxxx.xxx (sent 07/31/10)
To: XXXXX
Hello,
We have a good offer for your domain name. What is your asking price?
Our company invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a
list
of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer “dot coms”, “dot nets” and easy-to-remember names.
Regards,
Chris Zimmerman
Founder
Hosting & Name Deals LLC
– End –
—– Original Message —–
From: zimmerman@name-deals.com
Date: Sat, Jul 31, 2010 at 15:29
Subject: xxxx.xxx (sent 07/31/10)
To: XXXXX
Pablo,
Can you accept 900 eur?
I have a 35,000 eur budget for 5-8 domain names. Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, my accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates :-). On the other side, it’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage a valuation company with a REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my accountant trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/62170358.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations. Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
– End –
American Express refunded all the charges made to my account.
I was not charged for the “valuations” to help Danny “purchase” my domains.
Thank goodness for AMX. They always back their customer first, not the vendor
I received the same attempted SCAM from Chris Zimmerman [zimmerman@name-deals.com]
beware
IYes i recieved the same from Chris Zimmerman. I found it extremely strange that they wanted to but the domain but wanted me o appraise it. I sent one back saying that as i was the domain owner i have no reason for an appraisal and that he was quite welcome to get his own appraisal and come back to me with a firm offer then we can talk. That was 2 days ago and i havent heard back. After finding this now i know why. But i can see how they draw people in ive never tried it before, all of a sudden within a week of putting on sedo i get a $15k US offer. But ive never heard of someone selling a house providing the potential buyer with an appraisal, its up to the buyer, so why would this be any different.
(To add to my earlier post)
My reply to the guy’s offer to £5,000 out of his supposed $35,000 budget and my choice of payment method was:
“The domain comes without valuation or content, but please feel free to validate the domain with a suitable service if you wish. I accept payments through Sedo’s secure Escrow Service.”
and then when he responded to push me towards using his valuation service (to line his own pockets), I replied:
“If you feel the domain is of interest then you may take out a valuation on the name, as is common for a buyer with such a large budget.
Sedo does not recommend sellers to partake in valuation scams such as the following:
http://www.thatdanny.com/2009/03/08/domain-valuation-scam-targets-sedo-users/
but if you would like to conduct the valuation yourself and place a bid through Sedo then I would certainly consider it.”
He never replied after that ;)
whoosh! I almost fell into their trap! Thanks to you guys!
Here is the guy that tried to victimized me.
Chris Zimmerman [zimmerman@name-deals.com]
Let this email text index by search engine so that they can be found by the future victims.
Thanks,
Leo
On Auguts 2nd I received the same kind of email from “Adam Brzowski”:
Hello,
What is your asking price for your domain?
We have found it listed for sale and we have a good offer for you.
Our comapny invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a list of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer “dot coms”, “dot nets” and easy-to-remember names.
Regards,
Adam Brzowski
COO
Hosting & Name Deals LLC
I also received one of these scam emails, played along and sent him a link to my evaluation, that will execute a php script, hows your PC going now Adam Brzowski?
new name:
Hello,
How much do you want for your domain?
We have found it listed for sale and we have a good offer for you.
Our comapny invests in domains and developed sites. If you have a list of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer “.com”, “.net”, “.co”, “.co.uk”, “.us” and easy-to-remember names with other extensions.
Regards,
Jerry Eisenberg
Vice President
Hosting & Name Deals LLC
From: jerry-eisenberg@name-deals.com
Hello,
How much do you want for your domain?
We have found it listed for sale and we have a good offer for you.
Our comapny invests in domains and developed sites. If you have a list of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer “.com”, “.net”, “.co”, “.co.uk”, “.us” and easy-to-remember names with other extensions.
Regards,
Jerry Eisenberg
Vice President
Hosting & Name Deals LLC
========================================================NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privilegedinformation that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Anyviewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message byunintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received thismessage in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the messageand deleting it from your computer.========================================================
Recieved today.
Yup, also just received the same mail from Jerry Eisenberg.
Well done Paul for that, wish I knew how to do the same thing ;-)
Thanks for the warning, think i’ve got one:
(offered £4800 for 4 domains with asking price totalling 5k on sedo, some must be getting a kick-back ).
CertifiedDomainValue.com ?????
Adam Brzowski to me
As a seller you should provide me with an appraisal first. This is a reasonable practice.
I’ve found not all the appraisals are accurate. So I accept real manual appraisals from trusted sources only.
I don’t trust $14-$20 services. Nobody will do a research for $14. We need a real manual service.
I researched several companies and here are the results:
In the beginning I wanted to engage AccurateDomains.com as appraiser but looks like this company has very bad reputation.
I also considered www.Afternic.com, but now it’s clear their service is not reliable enough.
Just read this:
“Afternic Appraisals really SUCK!!!”
http://www.discussnames.com/showthread.php?t=13311
“Capsule Review: After lots of complaints, Afternic is no longer a recommended service. We will re-review the service in the near future.”
I was told about manual research service from http://www.DomainMart.com. It costs – $200/hour.
Many experienced sellers suggested us http://www.CertifiedDomainValue.com as a trustworth manual service. They charge per name not per hour. We’ve read only positive comments about them. And I have my own positive experience with this company and their support.
ps. I was contacted within hours of listing on sedo.
I’ve posted all of my interactions with this scam artist at:
http://talkingdotcoms.blogspot.com/2010/07/having-fun-with-scam-artist-part-1.html
Thanks for bringing this to my attention in the first place!
I was contact by Jerry Eisenberg too, beware guys
I have jerry-eisenberg@name-deals.com messaging me every 30 mins…argh
Why the hell does the seller need to get an appraisal anyway…ill sell a domain for what I think its worth, an appraisal means squat to me.
This guy is very annoying. Also got my details from sedo :(
ouch… me too today! I am still talking with him… any ideas on how to get him back?
Just got one from “James Murphy” (same last name as your scam, interesting) with the exact same copy-paste text after I put a domain up on Sedo. Thanks for the information!
Got a simple inquiry yesterday about a domain I had just listed on Sedo, and I replied. Then today received this tell-tale follow-up from james-murphy at name-deals.com:
“Can you accept 9,000 USD?
I have a 36,000 USD budget for 5-7 domain names. Have you had your domain
names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be
sure in the sale price…”
and then more of the same domainexplorer.org recommendation and other junk mentioned above.
Thinking about writing abuse@godaddy.com which is the registrar. Don’t know if it would do any good, but I do know that they once took a domain name away from me for linking to offshore prescription sites.
Thank goodness I googled “Domain Valuation Scam”! My e-mail came from edward-gundensen@name-deals.com and uses an almost identical script as yours… except he offered me $7,000 USD
Tim Swieckowski
swieckowski@name-business.com
Can you accept 11,000 USD?
I have a 32,000 USD budget for 4-8 domain names. Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, my accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates :-). On the other side, it’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage a valuation company with a REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my accountant trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/8036247.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Thanks for posting this… I had some fun with the scammer! :-)
———
Hi Michael,
If you need a valuation, I recommend you get one. Once you have the information you need, please submit your bid via SEDO.
Also, I found this great article that will really help you acquire domains with valuations quickly… http://bit.ly/83SBI
Best,
David
—–Original Message—–
From: Michael Steinberg [mailto:michael-steinberg@name-business.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 4:14 AM
To: David
Subject: Re: ____.com
Hi David!
Can you accept 9,000 USD?
I have a 48,000 USD budget for 5-8 domain names. Have you had your domain
names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be
sure in the sale price. Moreover, my accountant and tax services always ask
for valaution certificates :-). On the other side, it’s very important for
me in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage a valuation company
with a REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from
independent sources I and my accountant trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal
companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and
buyers: http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/5298163.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price
accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15%
discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to
obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations. Do you sell domain with a web
site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not
necessary.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire
transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
NB&T LLC (Web Hosting & Name Investing)
David, I do not know how they are scamming Pay Pal, but I would forward a copy of this to them so that they can investgaate this guy independently.
Chris
Same story for ALoan.co on SEDO but Different name. Details pasted below:
email name is now mark-groover@name-business.com
email as follows
Hi Brian,
1500 pounds. Ok.
I have a 48,000 pounds budget for 5-8 domain names. Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, my accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates :-). On the other side, it’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage a valuation company with a REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my accountant trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/9217506.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations. Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
I just received a very similar email, and the red flags went off immediately because in just about every business that involves sales (homes, cars, boats, domains, etc), the BUYER will pay for an appraisal, not the seller. If a seller pays for an appraisal it’s a huge conflict of interest.
Then I just Googled the guy’s email and your post popped up. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. The email I received was nearly identical to the one listed in the comment above me by Brian.
Beware of Thimothy Wahlstrom :-)
5000. Ok
I have a 100,000 USD budget for 10-15 domain names. Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, my accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates :-). On the other side, it’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage a valuation company with a REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my accountant trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/9358507.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations. Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Hello,
I also received the same one!
It is always funny to see how soma scammers do not change their text, being so easy to make a google search with some of their phrases. Ando secondly they reply to my emails on time frames which are not possible if it was a single person (ie who works 24 hours/day)
Anyway, I have kept crossing emails with this person (email from James Zielinski [zielinski@name-business.com]) just for the fun of it
All best folks!
James Zielinski is another name you can add to the list of scammers…
After I received the initial generic email, my first instinct was, “this could
be a scam, but what the heck, I’ll go along with him just in case he’s real”.
But after several emails, I figured out something may be wrong, so I did
some google searches, and wham !!!! Another scam !!!
So Add another name to your list of domain name scammers !!!!!
Brian in San Francisco
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/93726051.htm
Hello everybody,
I have the same guy here: Mr. Thimothy Wahlstrom. Initially I thought: Yes, somebody is offering me Euro 25.000, – for my domain, but unfortunately, it is a scam!!
Best regards, Bob
James Zielinski! Just had some otherwise convincing correspondence which followed the examples above to the letter!
So glad I googled….although I was looking forward to up to $88K for my 15 domains!!!
yes same James did me as well
I have a client that is interested in buying this domain from you if you are not
going to be using it.
My client can offer you a good price and will pay any escrow fees. But he would
like to know your price first.
He is also looking for easy-to-remember names with different extensions for his
new domain-reselling business.
So if you have other names for sale please email us your list.
He would like to get your answer this week if possible.
If you are not interested we will look for another domain.
Regards,
Ralph Leonhardt
Broker
Name & Hosting Business Solutions LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
The scammer’s appraisal domain is www.certifieddomainvalue.com
www.certifieddomainvalue.com SCAM !!! Dont ever use this this website !!!
1st Mail
Hello,
I’m reaching out on behalf of Bernie Bornstein who is interested in this domain. Please email us your price.
He is also looking for easy-to-remember names with different extensions for his online businesses.
If you have other names for sale please email us your list with prices.
Can we get your answer this week if possible?
Regards,
Richard Alvaro
Sales Executive
Name & Hosting Business Solutions LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
——————————————————————————————————
Can you accept 10,000 USD?
Our client has a 50,000 USD budget for several names. Have you had your domain names evaluated by certified valuation experts in the past? Even if your domain has no web site it’s possible to appraise it. Without a valuation certificate our client cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, our accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates. On the other side, it’s very important for him in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage an independent valuation company with a real manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources our client trust. We don’t have certified experts in domain valuations and use independent reliable companies for appraisals.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/96275014.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly..
After you send us the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue the process. Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
————————————————————————————————
this is new email i get from scamer
im very lucky because i see this Forum
and tell about DOMAIN scamer.
thanks for all
His Name
Richard Alvaro
Having a large number of domains, and over 200 of them sitting at Sedo, I guess these type of scamming emails all the time. In fact, I just got one yesterday from this ‘Richard Alvaro’ claiming “I’m reaching out on behalf of Bernie Bornstein” and he wants to buy all my domains. Yeah, right.
I usually stop these scammers by telling them to make an offer through Sedo and not bother me again.
If it is too good to be true, then it isn’t.
However, in saying this, last year a company wrote me a letter sent by their legal department with a big check in it, no strings attached. The amount they offered was to buy one of my domains (not at Sedo) was more than what I make in a year.
I took the check, deposited it, then waited a week and made the transfer. That was it!
Talk about trust. I was so sure the check would bounce. But it did not bounce. I never even talked to the buyers on the phone. All I did was sign a non-disclosure form not to mention the domain name for 1 year, nor the selling of it and the amount.
I doubt that will ever happen again. But who knows.
Hello,
I also received the same one!
I’m reaching out on behalf of Bernie Bornstein who is interested in this domain. Please email us your price.
He is also looking for easy-to-remember names with different extensions for his online businesses.
If you have other names for sale please email us your list with prices.
Can we get your answer this week if possible?
Regards,
Richard Alvaro
Sales Executive
Name & Hosting Business Solutions LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
———————————————————————————
Thank you for your interest in my domain/s listet with Sedo. All my domains are with “fixed” prices, and are only sold through the Sedo secure sales system. I hope you see this as a good and trustful way to complete a secure Transfer of domains between buyer and seller.
regards
…………Me
thank god i found your website! I just received an email from Richard Alvaro showing interest in my website. Gosh, cant he at least change his name..doesnt he know its soo easy to just google “‘name’ scam” and we get a whole list of info. on someone?
I am sooo grateful to have found your website.. :)
The same… Richard Alvaro:
Can you accept 10,000 USD?
Our client has a 50,000 USD budget for several names. Have you had your domain names evaluated by certified valuation experts in the past? Even if your domain has no web site it’s possible to appraise it. Without a valuation certificate our client cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, our accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates. On the other side, it’s very important for him in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage an independent valuation company with a real manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources our client trust. We don’t have certified experts in domain valuations and use independent reliable companies for appraisals.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/96275014.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly..
After you send us the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue the process. Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
—– Original Message —–
From: +++++
To: alvaro@name-business.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 12:45 AM
Subject: re: navarragreenenergy.com
Thanks to the FORUM!!!
I forgot to mantion, that i actualy orderd a appraisal from Sedo, and not from the site this Alvero guye wanted me to. I was thinking, “than i have a appraisel ready with my respond to he’s 2nd letter”, so the tradeing could start.
Know, after finding out of this scam, i have an appraisal that actually didnt need or wanted in the first place, the reason for my order was this letter. So all in all, Sedo is the winner in the end, earning 29.00 Euro on my order lol.. I Feel stupid :(
Hopfuly i have learnd from this..
so u all know, im new to this business..phuu
Hi Jim!
No low ball offres? Ok! :-)
Can you accept 25,000 USD? We are aslo interested in
BELIZECARETAKER.COM
BELIZIANCAYES.COM
Our client has a 50,000 USD budget for several names. Have you had your domain names evaluated by certified valuation experts in the past? Even if your domain has no web site it’s possible to appraise it. Without a valuation certificate our client cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, our accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates. On the other side, it’s very important for him in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage an independent valuation company with a real manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources our client trust. We don’t have certified experts in domain valuations and use independent reliable companies for appraisals.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/96275014.htm
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly..
After you send us the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue the process. Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
—– Original Message —–
From: Jim M
To: alvaro@name-business.com
Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 10:39 PM
Subject: RE: easybigfella.com
Hello Richard,
Tell me what you’re willing to pay for it and I’ll let you know if it’s acceptable. Please no low ball offers.
Thanks,
J
I own these URL’s as well, which are also for sale.
BELIZETOURGUIDES.COM
BESTBELIZECAYES.COM
BELIZEME.COM
YOURBELIZECAYES.COM
BESTBEACHBELIZE.COM
YOUBELIZE.COM
UBELIZE.COM
YOUMAYBECRAZY.COM
EPICBIKERIDE.COM
IMAYBECRAZY.COM
EASYBIGFELLA.COM
MAYBEYOURCRAZY.COM
MAYBEIAMCRAZY.COM
MAYBEIMCRAZY.COM
CRAZYJUSTLIKEME.COM
MAYBEYOURECRAZY.COM
ITHINKYOURCRAZY.COM
THINKYOURECRAZY.COM
YOUBETTERBELIZE.COM
DOGCARESEATTLE.COM
WESTSEATTLEPETCARE.COM
BELIZECARETAKER.COM
BELIZIANCAYES.COM
CATCARESEATTLE.COM
CAYEHOPPING.COM
BELIZEINME.COM
YOUBELIZEME.COM–Original Message—–
From: alvaro@name-business.com [mailto:alvaro@name-business.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 12:58 AM
Subject: re: easybigfella.com
Hello,
I’m reaching out on behalf of Bernie Bornstein who is interested in this domain. Please email us your price.
He is also looking for easy-to-remember names with different extensions for his online businesses.
If you have other names for sale please email us your list with prices.
Can we get your answer this week if possible?
Regards,
Richard Alvaro
Sales Executive
Name & Hosting Business Solutions LLC
Im wery pleased with Sedo and they’re handeling of situation.
I got this mail after they realised, that this buyer who wanted an appraisal, actualy is a scammer.
The letter i got from Sedo…
Dear T,
Thank you for ordering a domain appraisal from Sedo.
Before we send you the assessment, we would like to inform you that in the past, many domain owners have been contacted by a third party who has expressed an interest in purchasing their domain. The email is virtually identical each time and requests that the domain owner has the domain appraised by one of a few companies (including Sedo), before an offer is made. Once this has been purchased, the domain holder will not receive a response from the person again. Lately, they may have changed their tactics, so if you have received an unsolicited offer, we recommend you check it came from a legitimate buyer.
Sedo has no affiliation with the organization that made this offer and we do not endorse them. We encourage domain owners to instruct interested parties to place bids through an online market place such as Sedo.com. All genuinely motivated buyers will be willing to negotiate through a secure platform.
An appraisal is a valuable tool for domain owners to take advantage of when they are looking to sell, but we do not wish to have someone be misled into ordering one.
Therefore, if you believe that you have been targeted by a scammer, we can cancel your order and refund payment.
If you would still like to receive the assessment, we will send you this shortly.
We welcome any questions you may have and look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks to all of you you all saved me!!!
Scammer contacted by the name
“Richard Alvaro”
below is the first mail i received :-
————————————————————————————————-
Hello,
I’m reaching out on behalf of Bernie Bornstein who is interested in this domain. Please email us your price.
He is also looking for easy-to-remember names with different extensions for his online businesses.
If you have other names for sale please email us your list with prices.
Can we get your answer this week if possible?
Regards,
Richard Alvaro
Sales Executive
Name & Hosting Business Solutions LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
———————————————————————————–
When I told him my price He asked me to have the valuation certificate before making the deal.
Please be careful sedo Users!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, also recived en email from Richard Alvaro in the same format and the smae aggression of taking your money
I’m too new in the business and was an easy pray of this unscrupulous people. I had 3 domains appraised with the appraisers they “trusted” and recommended. It happened over the weekend.
So if you hear from Richard Alvaro at alvaro@name-business.com from > Name & Hosting Business Solutions LLC run the opposite way! I just lost $168 on those appraisals and learn the hard way that if it sounds too good to be true….it is!
Hi,
I got an email today identical to the “Bernie Bornstein” one, with two differences.
Bernie has had a name change and is known as Andrew Cheung.
Richard Alvaro has has a name change too, Richard meet…. Ryan Gralinski.
Finally the “from” domain name (where the email came from) has only parked domain content and is name-business.com
Hope this helps out someone.
Cheers
Tim
You can also add to the list
Ryan Gralinski on behalf of Andrew Cheung.
Sales Executive
Name Business Solutions LLC
He’s been trying to get me to get an appraisal so I keep offering him to pay for it since he is the one interested in the domain, it’s pretty funny the back and forth actually.
Yup, also just received the same mail from Ryan Gralin. thanks for the information
He changed his surname to Gralinski for me but all the rest is the same :-)
I traced his email and he’s sending them from Moscow! What a persistent fellow he is.
I received one from Ryan Gralinski
I didn’t realise it was a scam at first but I grew suspicious for several reasons and googled the name. The results confirmed my suspicions. Thanks for posting this.
I also got such great!!!???? offer. And thank god (!)I thought to search for a scam report.
Pasting a sample email. He said he don’t trust sedo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Charles Venturi Jr
to me
show details Dec 13 (5 days ago)
No, I don’t know this company.
I’ve found not all the appraisals are accurate. So I accept real manual appraisals from trusted sources only.
I don’t trust $14-$20 services. Nobody will do a research for $14. We need a real manual service.
As to the most known brands: the more orders the company gets, the less time they can afford to spend on each appraisal.
I wanted to use AccurateDomains.com but looks like this company has a bad reputation.
I also considered www.Afternic.com, but now it’s clear their service is not reliable enough.
Just read this:
“Afternic Appraisals really SUCK!!!”
http://www.discussnames.com/showthread.php?t=13311
“Capsule Review: After lots of complaints, Afternic is no longer a recommended service. We will re-review the service in the near future.”
I was told about manual research service from http://www.DomainMart.com. It costs – $200/hour.
Many experienced sellers suggested us http://www.CertifiedDomainValue.com as a trustworth manual service. They charge per name not per hour. We’ve read only positive comments about them. And I have my own positive experience with this company and their support.
I want to play a funny game with this guy! Admin please mail me a funny game idea to play with this great shit.
Sorry for my poor English.
Regard
Hello,
I’m reaching out on behalf of Dennis Thompson who is interested in this domain. Please email us your price.
He is also looking for easy-to-remember names with different extensions for his online businesses.
If you have other names for sale please email us your list with prices.
Can we get your answer this week if possible?
Regards,
Charles Venturi
Sales Executive
Name Investors Union LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
Hi, just got a similar mail today from this scammer! (see mail above).
Thank you for your help! As I got this mail from the scammer, I got suspicious. Next thing, I was googling info on scammers and came past your website! :)
Hi,
The clown reached out to me too, and I documented the process on http://www.ryangralinski.com/. Afterwards, I offered him the domain for sale :)
We were contacted by “Charles Venturi Jr” and they tried to make us purchase appaissals from: http://www.CertifiedDomainValue.com as a trustworth manual service.
When we did not, instead gave them appasals by real appraisal companies they insisted they only trust the one mentioned above. Another scam right before Christmas. However they can change names and fake appraisal sites, but this type of scam can work on many inexperienced domainers.
To AM!
That was a good one, offering him the domain for sale, I had a good laugh all day!
//JJ
Hi
thomas-steinmeyer@name-business.com
yep I have been offered 10 grand for my domain name, was up on ebay for sale.
I told him our govt. in Australian has all valuation info I need, which is true.
I think I will forward his name to them to make the process faster and make easier him, as one could not dispute the reputation the Aussie government. lol
I am going to have a bit of fun here.
Keep you posted on the reaction.
This ‘Joker’ also contacted me as well. See below:
******************************************
thomas-steinmeyer@name-business.com
I have a client that is interested in buying. Please email us your price.
My client can offer you a good price for this domain name US dollars. We can also pay all escrow fees.
If you have other names for sale please email us your list with prices.
Can we get your answer this week if possible?
Regards,
Thomas Ssteinmeyer, domain broker
Domain Business Brokerage Inc.
********************************************************
I hope that this comment helps others see these emails for what they are….. A SCAM!
WHAT A JOKE! Thank you very much for this post and warning those of us that are “new” to the whole Domain Buying/Selling process. Scumbags like this need to go to prison…they are the lowest form of dirt around.
I started an account a few weeks ago and just listed some Domain Names on sedo earlier this week. To my surprise, I saw this email sitting in my Inbox this morning. I thought “If it’s too good to be true, it usually is.” I had a gut feeling this was a scam and thank goodness I was correct.
It’s comical to me when I get something like this and the grammar is worse than my 5 year old. Haven’t these “bottom-feeders” learned that the average consumer is getting smarter about avoiding idiots like him/her? Yes, there will be your “sucker” from time to time but thanks to the internet and great posts like this, we can all be much more aware of what’s going on.
Here’s the “brilliant” email I received this morning. If you’re going to try to scam someone, AT LEAST spell your name correctly!
Thank you again for creating this post and warning us!
********************************************************
I have a client that is interested in buying. Please email us your price.
My client can offer you a good price for this domain name US dollars. We can also pay all escrow fees.
If you have other names for sale please email us your list with prices.
Can we get your answer this week if possible?
Regards,
Thomas Ssteinmeyer, domain broker
Domain Business Brokerage Inc.
*******************************************************
I hope this ASSCLOWN gets what he/she deserves!
I was contacted by jerome-miller@webnamecorp.com just days after parking my domain on Sedo.
I told him someone had already bid $500,000 so if his client could beat that then fine.
He seemed to ignore it and go on about the appraisal.
Glad I came across this story to confimr he is a scammer.
Here is another one to watch for EWARD FEINSTEIN…. I told him the same thing if your interested place your offer at Sedo.com I did mention if I had Sex.com for sale would ask for a Valuation Certificate? NO! As a great domain sells it self no questions asked by ANY BUYER. My domain is not a bad name Layla.co gets over 91,000 Google exact term searches monthly. I wasn’t born yesterday. What I mean is most people won’t offer the full amount they will test the waters a little, kinda like buying a house! Then make their move if someone jumps into the bidding… So below is how the bait showed up in my email.
Hello,
We have a client who is interested in purchasing your name. He can offer a good price.
Please email us your desired price for the domain name in the subject linein USD or euros.
If you have other names for sale please email us for consideration.
Can we get your answer this week if possible?
Regards,
Edward Feinstein
CEO
Web Name Business Corp.
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
Wow! So glad you put this article up! I received an email almost exactly like the ones you showed! I thought it sounded fishy.
I like working with Sedo and have sold domain names through them, so I don’t blame them.
Thank you for your help!! I don’t want to set my domain name whois contacts to private since some reputable people do contact you that way to purchase a domain name. I guess I’ll just keep an eye out for more SCAM artists.
Thanks for your help!
Had exactly the same email yesterday and smelt a fish straight away. I said I wanted £20,000 and imediately he came back with an offer of £19,500 with the same domain appraisal letter as described above. Name used was edward-feinstein@webnamecorp.com
Not even going to respond to him after reading this and several other scam sites describing the con… Thanks for the info and advice.
WOW!!!! Its like you peoples helped me to literate on this.
I’m really thankful to you guys for sharing this issue.
Received same massage (First massage).
FROM: “Christian Bamberger”
DATE: Mo, 7.03.2011
Dear Manferd,
Can you accept 5500 eur for the following package:
[CUT]LIST OF TLD[/CUT]
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain
appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very
important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation
company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from
independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal
companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and
buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/618092357.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price
accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15%
discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to
obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire
transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
on 4th this month my father passed away suddenly and i recieved an email from christian bamberger offering 6000 for my domain www.sweet2thebeat.com.
id usualy do bit of research and email check but being so messed up with what had happened in my life i just thought happy days abit of good luck.
i went to certifieddomainvalue.com as recommended by christian bamberger
and payed about £60 for appraisal.
couple days later i recieved appraisal for good few grand and i sent this to bamberger.
he then went on bout how his client had just purchased domains and he would then get a new buyer for mine.
lucky enough i came back to my old self and did my research to find out id been had!!!!
i emailed him back said nicely no deal and that id found out he was a scammer!!
he then gave me usual email trying confince me he wasnt and that my domain name would sit for years without a buyer without him.lol
lesson learnt, always do your research!!
I recived the exact same email sequence but from a name you did not have in your list. See below.
Thank you!
Greg Schlegel
CEO
Web Hosting & Domains LLC
greg-schlegel@name-deals.com
Ditto the above – received yesterday after listing on Sedo:
Hello,
We are interested in your domain name for sale.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Thomas Lieberman
President
Web Hosting & Domains LLC
tom-lieberman@name-deals.com
On Thu, May 5, 2011 at 3:00 AM, wrote:
Hello,
We are interested in your domain name for sale.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Thomas Lieberman
President
Web Hosting & Domains LLC
tom-lieberman@name-deals.com
Email 2: On Thu, May 5, 2011 at 6:51 PM, Thomas Lieberman wrote:
Ok.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/21804632.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
He tried to scam me too.
Best Wishes,
Bruno Ratnieks
Wow received this email yesterday!!! definitely not doing business with this person. The email looks so familiar too. I almost put the domain name appraisal payment through yesterday but though I should wait it out one more day and do some more reading on it.
———————————————————–
We are interested in your domain name for sale.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Thomas Lieberman
President
Web Hosting & Domains LLC
tom-lieberman@name-deals.com
Just got the email from Thomas Lieberman.
Here’s what I sent back.
—————————-
Hi Thomas,
The domain APRLoan.net is for sale for $1 dollar.
I prefer to use Escrow.com with buyer paying escrow fees.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Mike
Domaiins.com
===========================================
NOTICE – This email does not constitute an agreement to sell the domain
stated. It is a business communication which is part of an ongoing
negotiation until a sales price can be agreed upon.
===========================================
—————————-
Let’s see if he still asks for an appraisal :)
Today, 5/12/2011 i received an e-mail from Craig Wademan:
Hello, We are interested in your domain name for sale.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line. If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration. Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Craig Wademan
CEO Web Hosting & Domains LLC
craig-wademan@name-investors.com
========================================================NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privilegedinformation that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Anyviewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message byunintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received thismessage in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the messageand deleting it from your computer.========================================================
REALLY Assholes!!!
Got an email from craig wademan:
We are interested in your domain name for sale.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Craig Wademan
CEO
Web Hosting & Domains LLC
craig-wademan@name-investors.com
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
I replyed saying I would accept $150,000 for my domains and not seriously consider any offer under $55,000
Then he replied with an offer of $60,000-$80,000
And went on to say;
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/21804632.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Regards,
Craig Wademan
CEO
Web Hosting & Domains LLC
craig-wademan@name-investors.com
…………………………………………………………………
I suspected a scam from the begining due to the style of his approach. After the second email googled some things to research this guy and this website thatdanny.com came up…. Thanks to OP I have found the results of this being a scam very fast…………………………………………
lol,,, I might send a reply saying I got an apprisial from cretifieddomainvalue.com and the prrrised it in 30 minutes to be worth $1.2M but because I like you I give you discount and you can pay me $80,000 after discount.
I only accept wire transfer through yourbigmommawiretransfer.com
Got the same email…from Michael Hardeman, CEO of Web Hosting & Domains LLC.
Thanks for putting this information up!!! It was very helpful, and saved me from being scammed.
Hello,
We are interested in your domain name for sale.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Michael Hardeman
CEO
Web Hosting & Domains LLC
Hello,
We are interested in your domain name for sale.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Sam Valenti
President
Web Domains & Hosting LLC
Sam Valenti to me
show details 4:26 PM (21 hours ago)
There will be no deal without appraisal from a trusted source. This simple
rule has saved me a lot of money and time. So I hope you will change your
position. Let’s do business the right way
I’m thinking about 6,000 – 6,500 USD for both your domains:www.xxxxxxxxxx.com – 3,500 USD
www.xxxxxxxxxxx.com – 3,500 USD
. What do you think about this price range?
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/41769352.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Hello, i have also received the same email, and going to delete it anyway.
GOT SAME EXACT EMAIL FROM:
Sam Valenti president@your-domain-hosting.com
This is the email:
////////////////////////////////////////////
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/41769352.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
/////////////////////////////////////
I just received this email yesterday I will try to follow up in a later post
Here’s Mine: From- president@domain-hosting-service.com :)
The PLANTED FORUM: http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/51848269.htm
Hello,
We are interested in your domain name for sale.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
David Grantz
President
Web Domains & Hosting LLC
***FOLLOW UP TO MY PREVIOUS POST***
Well I thought I’d play along to see how far this guy/girl/group will take things. It looks like this guy/girl/group will stop at nothing to SCAM PEOPLE
***FOLLOW UP TO MY PREVIOUS POST***
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
My Response to his previous email:
I use SEDO.com and will ONLY do transactions through them…. you can put a bid in through them….
I will not use an appraisal service because I know what I want for each domain. I could work with you a little on price but I pretty much have my prices set.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
His Response (carbon copy of email#5):
Unfortunately , Sedo is not acceptable as an appraiser because your names
are listed with them and they are not independent.
Last but not least, they are interested in earning 10% commission on every
sale. I need appraisals from a company
which is not interested in selling your domains.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Followed by another email without any response from me (carbon copy of email#7):
I guess he/she/they accidentally sent there next preset email…LMAO!!
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
My Response:
If you are a SERIOUS BUYER please excuse my bluntness and understand that the internet is currently used in so many ways to scam people. I will NOT pay for any appraisal at this time.
You can get your own appraisal if you’d like but I will not.
I WILL ONLY DO TRANSACTIONS THROUGH SEDO.COM
Thank You for Your interest
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
His Response (A carbon copy of email#11):
Unfortunately, we cannot proceed without the appraisal from a source we trust.
There will be no deal without appraisal from a trusted source. This simple rule has saved me a lot of money and time. So I hope you will change your position. Let’s do business the right way.
///////////////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////////////
THANK YOU DANNY; YOU SAVED ME!!!!!
Infact Danny u hav saved a life,, i must say ur God sent…imagine my hard earned resources…these crooks would have duped me of 59euros…my own scammer sent from this address:president@domain-hosting-service.com…using the name david grantz….
i didnt need any other thing to prove to me that this thing that was happenin to me is scam…can’t thank you enough
On 12/06/2011, at 8:04 AM, wrote:
> Hello,
>
> We are interested in your domain name for sale.
>
> Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
>
> If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
>
> Looking forward to doing business with you.
>
> Regards,
>
> David Grantz
>
> President
>
> Web Domains & Hosting LLC
>
> ========================================================
> NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
> information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
> viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
> unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
> message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
> and deleting it from your computer.
> ========================================================
>
I’m thinking about 14,000 – 15,000 USD for your domain. What do you think about this price range?
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/61957348.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
—– Original Message —–
From: David Worth
To: ceo@domain-hosting-service.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 2:24 PM
Subject: Re:
Hi Bob
Desired price for the subject domain is $15,000 US
Kind Regards
David
—– Original Message —–
From:
To:
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 8:19 AM
Subject: re:
>
> Hello,
>
> We are interested in your domain name for sale.
>
> Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
>
> If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
>
> Looking forward to doing business with you.
>
> Regards,
>
> Bob Bertolini
>
> CEO
>
> Web Domains & Hosting LLC
Well…..add another to the Bertolini spam quest.
This guy stays busy.
He sounded transparently fake almost immediately.
I always search names/emails etc as a matter of course and am amazed at how many scam artists turn up that simple way.
Thanks for your searchable data for scams….it helps.
Got some of the exact same emails for Sam Valenti (president@your-domain-hosting.com)
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/41769352.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
##################################################
Unfortunately , Sedo is not acceptable as an appraiser because your names
are listed with them and they are not independent.
Last but not least, they are interested in earning 10% commission on every
sale. I need appraisals from a company
which is not interested in selling your domains.
I heard many appraisal companies often made inaccurate appraisals. So I
cannot accept appraisal from each and every site. I will only accept
appraisals from independent appraisal companies I know and trust.
###################################################
Unfortunately , Sedo is not acceptable as an appraiser because your names
are listed with them and they are not independent.
Last but not least, they are interested in earning 10% commission on every
sale. I need appraisals from a company
which is not interested in selling your domains.
###########################################
Unfortunately, we cannot proceed without the appraisal from a source
we trust.
There will be no deal without appraisal from a trusted source. This simple
rule has saved me a lot of money and time. So I hope you will change your
position. Let’s do business the right way.
#############################
Listed Sedo yesterday and got my “offer” from “Bob Bertolini” this morning – 5 emails so far! After reading around I will not be responding!
I must say these scammers work hard – a great deal of reading and typing – or very clever programming. Pity it’s not applied to a legitimate and useful purpose.
Just received the similar email 30 munits ago. thank you guys for these usefull informations!
same thing there!
de Bob Bertolini ceo@domain-hosting-service.com
à xxxxxxxxxxxx
date 6 juillet 2011 16:04
objet Re: xxxxxxxxxxx
I’m thinking about 65,000 – 67,000 USD for your domain. What do you think about this price range?
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/61957348.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you for your blogpost, I have a new name to add: ‘Paul Goldstein’
BEGIN QUOTE:
Hello,
We are domain investors. We have found your domain for sale at online auction.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Paul Goldstein
Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer
Web Hosting & Domains LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
END QUOTE
His email adres was:
vice-president@your-domain-hosting.com
Received: from n1nlshrout02.shr.prod.ams1.secureserver.net ([188.121.43.194])
From: ceo@brandnameservice.com <- domain registered same day as email.
Michael Stockman
Received: from n1nlshrout02.shr.prod.ams1.secureserver.net ([188.121.43.194])
Same here, mail from Michael …ceo@brandnameservice.com
keeps pointing to http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/25749608.htm
Thanks so much for this post. I got an email from Michael Stockman as well. After telling him that the domain wasn’t actually for sale and that I’d like to hear his offer in any case this is what he sent me:
On 24 July 2011 09:32, Michael Stockman wrote:
I’m thinking about 60,000 – 68,000 USD for your domain. What do you think about this price range?
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/25749608.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Hi Danny,
Thanks for the info…just received the same email today with different name:
______________________________________________________________
From: ceo@brandnameservice.com
Hello,
We saw this domain name listed for sale on the web.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Michael Stockman
CEO
Domain Names & Web Hosting Clue LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
In my case the guy was some Paul Andersen,I had posted my domains on Sedo and exactly the same thing happened to me,even I ALMOST fell for it.
Even the wordings were exactly the same.I did a search for the company and it was no where present.
I am posting the emails below-
From:
Paul Andersen (andersen@brandnameservice.com)
Sent:
08 August 2011 20:53PM
To:
abhishek sardana (abhisheksardana@live.com)
499. Ok
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/51470329.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
—– Original Message —–
From:abhishek sardana
To: andersen@brandnameservice.com
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 3:50 PM
Subject: RE: road-rail.net – $499
Dear Paul
Thanks for your interest. I have given my price above and if it works for you we can go ahead with the transfer.
Thanks and Regards
Abhishek Sardana
> From: andersen@brandnameservice.com
> To: abhisheksardana@live.com
> Subject: re: road-rail.net
> Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2011 22:42:41 -0700
>
> Hello,
>
> We have found this name for sale listed in auction.
>
> Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
>
> If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
>
> Looking forward to doing business with you.
>
> Regards,
>
> Paul Andersen
>
> President
>
> Brand Domain Name Services LLC
>
> ========================================================
> NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
> information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
> viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
> unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
> message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
> and deleting it from your computer.
> ========================================================
>
Got the same mail too but he called himself George Petersen.
Thanks for this post!
From:
Date: Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 7:37 AM
Subject: re: doghush.com
To: —–
Hello,
We saw this domain name listed for sale on the web.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us yiur full list with prices for consideration.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
George Petersen
President
Domain Names & Web Hosting Clue LLC
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
OMFG! I just got two emails like this regarding two domains I am auctioning on ebay. The “company” is brandnameservice.com, which is a parked page. I thought it was valuation scam, and your blog proved it. Thank you.
While I would love to bait the scammer, I don’t have time. If any of you would, send me an email and I’ll send you the scammer’s email.
Von pullman@brandnameservice.com »
Gesendet Di, 23. Aug 2011
An xx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.de »
Betreff re : xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello,
We are going to purchase your domain name.
Our company is in hosting and domain name business.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us your domains with prices.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Mike Pullman
President
Brand Domain Name Services LLC
Posted domain on ebay, same scam.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!”
What is funny is that he wrote me as “MIKE PULLMAN”, I replied to “STEVE”(my error ahahaha!) and this douchebag repies as “GEORGE PULLMAN” and he can’t even spell PRICE correctly! Oh George must be his Evil Twin!!! LMAO!
On Sat, Aug 27, 2011, George Pullman wrote:
I could not call you. Just email the pruce. It’s easy :-)
—– Original Message —–
From:xxxx@xxx.xxx
To: pullman@brandnameservice.com
Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2011
Subject: Re: re: xxx.COM
Steve,
Give me a call.
MY NAME
1 555 555 5555
—– Original Message —–
From: pullman@brandnameservice.com
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2011 12:44 am
Subject: re: xxx.COM
To: xxx.com
> Hello,
>
> We are going to purchase your domain name.
>
> Our company is in hosting and domain name business.
>
> Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the
> domain name in the subject line.
>
> If you have other names for sale please email us your domains
> with prices.
>
> Looking forward to doing business with you.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike Pullman
>
> President
>
> Brand Domain Name Services LLC
>
> ========================================================
> NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
> information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
> viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
> unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have
> received this
> message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to
> the message
> and deleting it from your computer.
> ========================================================
>
>
I’ve had the same attempt at being scammed…..almost got lured in. I only got the Vice President :-D
Anthony Taller
Vice President
Brand Name Services Inc
>>
Thanks for the heads up!
I received the same email yesterday.
Add another name to the scammers:
Jerad Martensen
martensen@domaininvestshop.com
CEO
Domain Investing Inc
Domain Name Investing & Web Development
Got the same email from a Michael Persson. Same body and subject. Thanks for the great post. Really.
This domain name can be very profitable with right marketing.
What do you think about 40,000 USD for your domain name? I’m also interested in
.COM
.COM
.COM
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/925607153.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
I also received a similar email yesterday, a couple of days after I had listed a domain in sedo.com
It was from:
Michael Persson
michael-persson@best-domain-investor.com
CEO
Web Hosting & Domain Name Investing Inc
Domain Name Investing & Web Development
Hello,
We are going to buy your domain name.
Our company is in hosting and domain name business.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us your domains with prices.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Michael Bortman
CEO
Web Hosting Investment Inc
Domain Name Investing & Web Development
Hello,
We are going to buy your domain name.
Our company is in hosting and domain name business.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us your domains with prices.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Michael Bortman
CEO
Web Hosting Investment Inc
Domain Name Investing & Web Development
I am new in this area and I was scammed. So when I right understand, the company http://www.certifieddomainvalue.com
is cheater and the appraisal from them has no value?
Thank you
Another mail from him:
This domain name can be very profitable with right marketing.
1600 eur. Ok.
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/936418269.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat.
Thank you for your article. He was about to take me there. I felt there is something wrong and searched for such companies and found your page.
my domain name is: www.iphony.biz
I was really thinking to sell it but my mind changed and started a new bussiness using the domain name which is related to iphone.
Thanks again and have a happy life.
Best regards
Thank you sooooo much for this article. I just recently got a similar mail.
However, when i did a whois search for the company name i found it was registered by www.enom.com… they look like a real domain registrar and reseller.
But the guy’s email to me was written ditto as the examples you gave.
His name is Aaron Zuckelberg and he claimed to be CEO of name-boutique.com. This site is registered by enom.com as I mentioned earlier. I think this is a scam but the enom site looks professional.
You can please investigate further if you so desire. I am a newbie and do not know the intricacies of this side of things.
Thank you so much for this great article again. It really opened my eyes.
Here’s my email trail so far and thanks, I haddn’t actualy worked out it was the appraisal that was the scam, I was expecting to have to pay them the 15% before I got my $15,000, Thankfuly the rat was smelt…. shame I’ve already paid SEDO for their appraisal… would it be too foolish to suggest that they don’t highlight the scam as they themselves don’t do too bad out of it? Any how enjoy:-
Michael,
Like I said below,
Sedo.com
You Quote ” So I accept real manual appraisals from trusted sources only”
Then point me to some ‘here say’ sources.
Sedo.com is a manual and trusted source.
Therefor if it takes 7 days then that’s what it takes – you are quite welcome to obtain your own appraisal but I will not be bullied into using a service that I know nothing about just to fast track a sale.
You start off asking me how much I wish to sell my domain for, I tell you.
You then you come back with an offer which far exceeds what I originally wanted…
I accepted, you then tell me that wasn’t a real offer just a rough estimate until I get an appraisal. So I then order an appraisal at my cost and now you’re telling me its not fast enough!
Look! The appraisal will take as long as it takes, if you’re not willing to wait that long then you either take it at $15,000 or I will bid you good day and walk away.
Speaking of trusted sources, I did ask that you place todays date in the subject line to prove that I am talking to a real person. If you reply to me again would you please do so.
Regards
—–Original Message—–
From: Michael Kogan [mailto:president@name-boutique.com]
Sent: 27 October 2011 16:20
To:
Subject: Re: thedomaininquestion.com
3-7 days? Where did you order it. CDV has 24 hours delivery. I will not wait for 7 days
—– Original Message —–
From:
To: “Michael Kogan”
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2011 6:56 PM
Subject: RE: thedomaininquestion.com
OK No problems I have applied for one now so I’ll wait to see what it says and come back to you.
I have already asked sedo.com as they are the company my host recommends and as I don’t know these others .
As it’s a manual service they say it will take 3-7days so I’ll come back to you once I have the result.
Regards
—–Original Message—–
From: Michael Kogan [mailto:president@name-boutique.com]
Sent: 27 October 2011 15:21
To:
Subject: Re: thedomaininquestion.com
As a seller you should provide me with an appraisal first. This is a reasonable practice.
I’ve found not all the appraisals are accurate. So I accept real manual appraisals from trusted sources only.
I don’t trust $14-$20 services. Nobody will do a research for $14. We need a real manual service.
As to the most known brands: the more orders the company gets, the less time they can afford to spend on each appraisal.
I wanted to use AccurateDomains.com or Afternic.com but looks like this company has a bad reputation. Afternic’s appraisal service has a lot of bad reviews.
I was told about manual research service from http://www.DomainMart.com. It costs – $200/hour.
Many experienced sellers suggested us http://www.CertifieddomainValue.com/
as a trustworth manual service. They charge about 50 eur name not per hour.
We’ve read only positive comments about them. And I have my own positive experience with this company and their support.
—– Original Message —–
From:
To: “Michael Kogan”
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2011 5:46 PM
Subject: RE: thedomaininquestion.com
OK, I’m new to all this. I just thought if you make an offer and I accept it
then that was it.
I have now applied for the domain to be appraised with sedo.com whom I
believe to be a
reputable company to use.
Regards
—–Original Message—–
From: Michael Kogan [mailto:president@name-boutique.com]
Sent: 25 October 2011 22:18
To:
Subject: Re: thedomaininquestion.com
I see, but it’s a standard practice to show independent valuation to
buyers/resellers. Nobody will do business without it. I’m a businessman and
have no intention of changing rules which help both parties to avoid
additional risks.
Of course, investors never take into account auto-generated valuations. So
manual valuation is a “must” too.
I read the following information about appraisals at
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/964725093.htm
Without the independent valuation from a trusted source we don’t spend a
penny. This is our financial policy. So our offer is just a rought estimate.
If the appraisal comes higher we are ready to offer a bit more. If it comes
lower we will discuss the price with you again.
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to doing business with you.
—– Original Message —–
From:
To: “Michael Kogan”
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 5:53 PM
Subject: RE: thedomaininquestion.com
Yes I would be happy to accept 15,000 USD for that domain.
No I’ve not had the domain evaluated but I’m happy to sell at 15,000 USD
less your 15% discount so £12750 and 50/50 escrow fee
Its just the domain, I had an idea for a site but I never got round to it…
so its now just a well-established domain.
I’m happy to use escrow.com, if you let me know the email address you wish
the escrow to use I’ll set up the transaction now,
I also have the .co.uk would you be interested in making an offer on that as
well?
Just to be sure I’m not dealing with an automated response on your next
reply would you also please include todays date in the subject.
Regards
—–Original Message—–
From: Michael Kogan [mailto:president@name-boutique.com]
Sent: 25 October 2011 13:30
To:
Subject: Re: thedomaininquestion.com
What do you think about 15,000 USD for your domain name?
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain
appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very
important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation
company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from
independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal
companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and
buyers:
http://www.thenamepros.com/Archive/964725093.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price
accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15%
discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to
obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire
transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
—– Original Message —–
From:
To:
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 3:25 PM
Subject: RE: thedomaininquestion.com
> Hello,
> My current portfolio of saleable domains are below,
> All domains are priced at GBP 2000 which at the moment works out at about
> USD 3196 or EUR 2295
> I will consider a reduces offer, especially when purchasing .co.uk and
> .com
> together
> All transferred will be done through sedo’s escrow service.
>
> Regards
>
>
>
(I’ve removed the domains)
>
> —–Original Message—–
> From: president@name-boutique.com [mailto:president@name-boutique.com]
> Sent: 23 October 2011 06:12
> To:
> Subject: re: thedomaininquestion.com
>
> Hello,
>
> We are interested in purchasing your domain name.
>
> Our company is in hosting and domain name business.
>
> Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in
> the subject line.
>
> If you have other names for sale please email us your domains with prices.
>
> Looking forward to doing business with you.
>
> Regards,
>
> Michael Kogan
>
> President
>
> Name Investment Boutique LLC
> ========================================================
> NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
> information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
> viewing,
> copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended
> recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in
> error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and
> deleting
> it from your computer.
> ========================================================
>
>
i recently got a mail from Aaron Trachtenberg,
n Sun, Nov 6, 2011 at 7:33 PM, wrote:
Hello,
We are interested in purchasing your domain name.
Our company is in hosting and domain name business.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us your domains with prices.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Aaron Trachtenberg
President
Domain Boutique
I received the same e-mail from these guys. I understood quickly that this was scam and I was talking to a robot who was above average interested in Domain appraisal firms.
From: “joshua-adelman@domain-hosting-service.com”
To: bharathptl@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 10:02 PM
Subject: re: emusex.com
Hello,
We want to purchase your domain.
Our company is in hosting and domain name business.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us your domains with prices.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Joshua Adelman
CEO
Domain Investment Group Inc
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
After i given a offer of $8000, I got reply
From: “joshua-adelman@domain-hosting-service.com”
It’s a big risk to proceed without professional valuation. I already spoke
to industry experts and they prohibited me to do business without
valuation..
Without manual valuation nobody will buy. You’ll sit on your domain for
years in this case, paying renewal fees to your registrar. Just think about
it. So sooner or later, you’ll have to obtain an appraisal. Why waste time
now?
As a seller, you can use a valuation certificate to sell names to other
buyers. I cannot do the same because I don’t keep control over your domain.
I’m still interested in your domain. Hope you’ll change your position. I
simply don’t want to take additional risks.
Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to doing business with you.
Any ways you save my life…. thanku
i have one more spimer with to same text was writed here .
joshua-adelman@domain-hosting-service.com
Saus. 3 d. (Prieš 2 dien.)
skirta man
Hello,
We want to purchase your domain.
Our company is in hosting and domain name business.
Please email us your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email us your domains with prices.
Looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Joshua Adelman
CEO
Domain Investment Group Inc
and here:
Joshua Adelman joshua-adelman@domain-hosting-service.com
14:07 (Prieš 3 val.)
skirta man
It’s a big risk to proceed without professional valuation. I already spoke
to industry experts and they prohibited me to do business without
valuation..
Without manual valuation nobody will buy. You’ll sit on your domain for
years in this case, paying renewal fees to your registrar. Just think about
it. So sooner or later, you’ll have to obtain an appraisal. Why waste time
now?
As a seller, you can use a valuation certificate to sell names to other
buyers. I cannot do the same because I don’t keep control over your domain.
I’m still interested in your domain. Hope you’ll change your position. I
simply don’t want to take additional risks.
so be a atention this is to same spamer.
i got almost the same e-mail from jacob-brenner@domain-hosting-shop.com, i’ll copy them below:
First email
————————————————-
Hello,
I noticed that you currently sell this domain. I want to buy your domain name.
Please send me your desired price in USD or euros for the domain name in the subject line.
If you have other names for sale please email me your domains with prices.
I’m looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Jacob Brenner
Independent Domain Investor
========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================
Second e-mail
————————————————-
What do you think about 10,000 USD for your domain name?
Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.forum-windows-club.com/Archive/846592108.htm
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15% discount.
After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.
What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
Fell for this once, and paid for their darn appraisal, which is worthless. I wonder how many domainers have lost domains to them? and where they are selling the domains they steal. If we could shut down their selling of them, they might stop trying to buy them as a scam.
Chris
Yes I have just received all these letters. They are all standard. They just use different URLs.
I must confess I did not immediately fall for it, and got to email number 5 in this article before I decided to do some research on Google on supposedly reputable domain name appraisers. It was then I came across this article and I cannot thank you enough.
Not being completely stupid, when I received an offer letter of ten thousand dollars (standard format above) I had the feeling the guy was a nut and I refused to provide a domain name appraiser and told him to do it himself.
He of course did not give up and I got the standard format letter with suggestions, as the writer says, leading me in to it and I had to provide it and it was supposedly normal practice.
I knew if I said I would use Sedo I would get the answer above.
I was minded to tell him that I would accept a certain low figure for a quick sale, nowhere near the crazy amount he had said, but I knew instinctively he would still demand the appraisal
I hate to have to admit I did not see it immediately as a scam, but I did see him as a time waster and I ws not going to pay for one of his suggested appraisals.
Well thank heavens I am out of that and it is thanks to you.
with my best wishes
peter n e
David Holderman
CEO
Hosting Clue Investment Group
david-holderman@website-domain-hosting.com
I fell for the trap – Here’s the response:
Thank you. I accept your valuation. It’s very professional and reasonable.
Unfortunately, our client has bought a big package recently and does not
have enough money to buy your domain right now. He is asking to wait for 1-2
months.
If we buy the domain direct from you we won’t be able to transfer it for two
months due to ICAAN rule. This rule prohibits reselling during two months
after purchasing.
Of course, we will do our best to force our buyer to buy as soon as
possible. But I suggest you not to reserve the domain for one month. Why
wait? I’m sure we
can resell your domain to other buyers. We have several potential buyers for
your name. If you agree with to pay us 15% commission upon every
sale we will start tomorrow.
I wrote about reselling in first emails. The buyer will pay 85% to you and
15% to me.If this sale fails I will look for other buyers. I’ve already
bought opt-in lists to promote your domains. I invested about $150 in these
opt-in lists.
I’m going to use your valuation in my promotio? Is it ok with you?
Jacob Friedman
I sure am glad i checked your blog i was just about to click the buy button on my appraisal when i surfed and found this,you just saved me about 100 dollars
except for one problem
they have my name phone number address
Thanks for your knowledge
Fell for the scam. Thankfully I used PayPal so they got me my money back in 15 days.
Tom: How did you manage to get your money back from PayPal?
When I got scammed and asked paypal, they did not want to do anything, because I used a virtual service…
I disputed the charges and escalated the case. PayPal did the rest.
Got one too: http://pastebin.com/90nVvSyp
Hello!
I’m interested in purchasing attrezzaturegommisti.com.
Please let me know your price.
We invest a lot on domain names, web servers to bring the reliable, fast and secured hosting solution for online business.
Feel free to email me if you have something else for sale.
Best Regards,
Mark Seidman
CEO
Hosting Clue (SNI Investment)
Thanks so much for this – I had a feeling the email I just got re. a URL I just listed on Sedo was a scam, but I just couldn’t figure out what they could be up to. Mine came from Isaac Tuchman.
“Hello!
I’m very interested in purchasing xxxxxxx.xx
I found this domain listed for sale on Sedo.
Please respond with a desired price for your domain in the subject (in USD, Euros or UK pounds).
If you have other names for sale please email me your domain list with prices.
Regards,
Isaac Tuchman
CEO
Web Hosting Solutions Inc.”
tuchman@net-hosting-solutions.com
I was excited for a minute there, sigh.
Nice one Danny,
Got my first scam email 24 hours after putting some domains up for sale on Sedo. Am copying your response word for word to see how far i get :)
Here’s the opener from the scammer:
“Hello!
I’m very interested in purchasing xxxxxxxxx.com.
I found this domain listed for sale on Sedo.
Please respond with a desired price for your domain in the subject (in USD, Euros or UK pounds).
If you have other names for sale please email me your domain list with prices.
Regards,
Aaron Waldman
CEO
VIP Hosting Solutions Inc.”
and his email address on a domain which is 2 days old … waldman@vip-hosting-server.org
On Tue, Apr 16, 2013 at 3:59 PM, wrote:
Hello!
I’m very interested in purchasing *************
I found it listed for sale.
Please respond with a desired price for your domain in the subject line (in USD, Euros or other currency).
If you have other names for sale please email me your list with prices.
Regards,
Robert Meerman
CEO
Live Web Hosting LLC
***************************
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email communication may contain private, confidential, or legally privileged information intended for the sole use of the designated and/or duly authorized recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient or have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by email and permanently delete all copies of this email including all attachments without reading them.