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New Domain Scam: Do not fall for it

by TheRealDomainer
10 replies
Domain Scammers are coming with various styles and so you should be aware.

First, I got a mail from Email address: wargacki@theonlinebrokerage.com
Note that I have done a whois on the domain and it was registered at godaddy by Thomas Smerdon. and hosted on domaincontrol.com server

Now see my transaction with the scammer.


Hello,

Are you still interested in sale of your domain? What is 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,

Alex Wargacki

I then wrote to him and gave him more domains. and he replied as below:

My sister gave birth to a child. Apologies for delay with response. We celebrated!

Can you accept 10,000 USD for all three?

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:
Domain Talk

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 only needed to discover who the scammer is by going to whois.net and typing the domain name and knowing the detail of the registrant. I called the phone and it was not going.

This is a domain scam and you must avoid it.

How do I know, I googled "wargacki@theonlinebrokerage.com scam" and saw it.

His Intention: To take your domain or you make appraisal and he takes his commission without buying.

Do not sell domain without using a broker as sedo...
Report abuse to the registrar in this case godaddy.This is the detail of the registrant:

Thomas Smerdon
11 High Street
Stoke, Hamdon TA14 6PP
United Kingdom

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (Browser Update Page)
Domain Name: THEONLINEBROKERAGE.COM
Created on: 23-Dec-08
Expires on: 23-Dec-09
Last Updated on: 23-Dec-08

Administrative Contact:
Smerdon, Thomas dntrader@hotmail.com
11 High Street
Stoke, Hamdon TA14 6PP
United Kingdom
441935824917

Technical Contact:
Smerdon, Thomas dntrader@hotmail.com
11 High Street
Stoke, Hamdon TA14 6PP
United Kingdom
441935824917

Domain servers in listed order:
NS61.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
NS62.DOMAINCONTROL.COM


Henry
#domain #fall #scam
  • Profile picture of the author braver55b
    Thanks for the info Henry, You surely know how to spot a scam and you're quite thorough too. thanks for the Ebook (in your signature)
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  • Profile picture of the author Oscar D
    Thanks for the heads up
    Signature
    -> FindNewDomains - Domain Finding Service WSO - BONUS: Free Domain Name Included!
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  • Profile picture of the author Gene Pimentel
    This is one of the oldest domain scams there is -- it has taken many shapes over the last several years.

    NEVER pay for an appraisal for a 'supposed' potential buyer. I have sold thousands of domains over the years and I have NEVER been asked by a legitimate customer to have it appraised first. Even if they did request it, I would have them get the appraisal themselves, then I'd credit them for the cost of the appraisal when they purchased the domain from me.

    ANY time someone approaches you to buy your domain and requests an appraisal first, a hundred red flags should pop up in your head. Don't do it.
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    • Profile picture of the author mywebwork
      Originally Posted by Gene Pimentel View Post

      This is one of the oldest domain scams there is -- it has taken many shapes over the last several years.

      ANY time someone approaches you to buy your domain and requests an appraisal first, a hundred red flags should pop up in your head. Don't do it.
      Agreed - I received essentially the same letter back in 2006 shortly after I put some domains for sale on Sedo. I Googled the opening text and found dozens of the same letters that other people had been sent, same scam as you described in your letter.

      Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author farmeronline
    Many thanks, very helpful to those of us who buy domains and then niot get around to using them.
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  • Profile picture of the author artwebster
    Can you accept 10,000 USD for all three?

    Just how loud does the 'scam alarm' have to ring?
    Signature

    You might not like what I say - but I believe it.
    Build it, make money, then build some more
    Some old school smarts would help - and here's to Rob Toth for his help. Bloody good stuff, even the freebies!

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  • Profile picture of the author karakoram
    So, he makes a commission when you buy an appraisal, is the idea behind his scam?
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    • Profile picture of the author TheRealDomainer
      Originally Posted by cbulen View Post

      So, he makes a commission when you buy an appraisal, is the idea behind his scam?
      He makes money in several ways:
      1. Make money from your appraisal
      2. Could send money to your paypal and you transfer the domain, then he changes and tell paypal he did not make the payment and need refund and paypal will ask that you refund the money. You loose your domains.
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  • Profile picture of the author xenergy
    Thanks for the heads up.
    Just a note on the paypal thing, IMO paypal method is not recommended for big transaction more than $1K. It's much saver using escrow service.
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