Be aware of this domain scam

15 years ago

Thanks for the headsup James, but as a complete NOOB in domain flipping I don't understand what do you mean by "appraisal"?

Care to elaborate
Bhupinder

Thanks
2 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613834].message }}

TheRealDomainer 15 years ago

Hi Bhupinder

My name is Henry Omenogor,

The scam artist uses jame, johnson etc

Regards

Henry

Originally Posted by howudoin

Thanks for the headsup James, but as a complete NOOB in domain flipping I don't understand what do you mean by "appraisal"?

Care to elaborate
Bhupinder
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613856].message }}
Michael Oksa 15 years ago

Originally Posted by howudoin

Thanks for the headsup James, but as a complete NOOB in domain flipping I don't understand what do you mean by "appraisal"?

Care to elaborate
Bhupinder

An appraisal is an official estimate of worth by a third party. In this case, the scammer says he will accept an appraisal from any one of three companies.

The reason for the appraisal is so that the potential seller doesn't overvalue the domain, and the buyer doesn't undervalue it.

All the best,
Michael
- Thanks
Signature

"Ich bin en fuego!"
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613866].message }}

ivana

15 years ago

Thank you so much! This is a great thing to know!

Thanks

Signature

Automate Your Lead Generation with Set and Forget Gift Ads Strategy- FREE DOWNLOAD

Join The Inspire, Transform and Impact Community

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613867].message }}

Steadyon

15 years ago

Always use an escrow account.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613872].message }}

Frank Donovan

15 years ago

Yeah, I received a similar email today, but from a different sender. This is clearly a widespread operation.

They must have many different PayPal accounts - I can't imagine that PayPal wouldn't suspect foul play if just one account claimed hundreds of unauthorised payments.

And I was only offered 65% of the appraisal. Cheek!

Frank

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613889].message }}

Michael Oksa

15 years ago

Originally Posted by howudoin

Thanks for the headsup James, but as a complete NOOB in domain flipping I don't understand what do you mean by "appraisal"?

Care to elaborate
Bhupinder

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

An appraisal is an official estimate of worth by a third party. In this case, the scammer says he will accept an appraisal from any one of three companies.

The reason for the appraisal is so that the potential seller doesn't overvalue the domain, and the buyer doesn't undervalue it.

All the best,
Michael

To say it another way, a domain appraisal is a way to estimate how much it is worth.

Let's say sedo.com said it was worth $2000, then the scammer claims they would buy the domain for $1700.

~Michael

Thanks

Signature

"Ich bin en fuego!"

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613901].message }}

Ryan123 15 years ago

Hi Frank, I got the mail too...with the same 65% offer. This does look like a well orchestrated thing.
- Thanks
Signature
With 100+ sites, I see 80% pages indexed in Google, but only 20% in Yahoo and 10% in MSN Bing. Despite spending billions, Yahoo/MSN can't even index web pages well yet. Do you see opportunity?
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[614929].message }}

GeorgR.

15 years ago

got them too. Someone willing to pay any price for your domain..but you "need" to have it appraised first...etc..etc.... scam.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

*** Affiliate Site Quick --> The Fastest & Easiest Way to Make Affiliate Sites!<--
-> VISIT www.1UP-SEO.com *** <- Internet Marketing, SEO Tips, Reviews & More!! ***
*** HIGH QUALITY CONTENT CREATION +++ Manual Article Spinning (Thread Here) ***
Content Creation, Blogging, Articles, Converting Sales Copy, Reviews, Ebooks, Rewrites

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613881].message }}

Dan C. Rinnert 15 years ago

Originally Posted by GeorgR.

got them too. Someone willing to pay any price for your domain..but you "need" to have it appraised first...etc..etc.... scam.

I'm with you. If someone really wants to buy your domain, they'll make an offer.

And, if they want to buy one of my domains, they'll pay what I want to sell it for, not for what some third party appraises it for, unless, of course, the latter is higher.
- Thanks
Signature

Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[614915].message }}

howudoin

15 years ago

Hi Bhupinder

My name is Henry Omenogor,

The scam artist uses jame, johnson etc

Regards

Henry

OOOOOPs!!!.........And I though you were the scammer!

Thanks for the informative post Henry!

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613908].message }}

howudoin

15 years ago

To say it another way, a domain appraisal is a way to estimate how much it is worth.

Let's say sedo.com said it was worth $2000, then the scammer claims they would buy the domain for $1700.

~Michael

Ok Micheal, I guess I understand the term "Appraisal" but I guess I don't understand the scam!
Henry mentions...

If you agree, then he could send his affiliate link with afternic etc and once you have paid for the appraisal, he is gone.

Isn't it that he is supposed to pay for appraisal and hence he's supposed to transfer the money rather than the other way around...OR am I missing something?

Bhupinder

Thanks
2 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613938].message }}

Cynthia Hernandez 15 years ago

WOW great tip about domain scam.
Newbie here getting a lot great stuff
from Warrior Forum.

Thank you
Cynthia Hernandez
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613958].message }}

Matt Bard

15 years ago

Originally Posted by howudoin

...but I guess I don't understand the scam!

Bhupinder ,

The person sending the email stating that they are interested in buying your domain is just trying to get you to purchase a service through their affiliate link.

They make the commission and don't buy your domain.

Matt

Thanks
3 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613976].message }}

Frank Donovan

15 years ago

Hi Matt

Originally Posted by Matthew Maiden

,
The person sending the email stating that they are interested in buying your domain is just trying to get you to purchase a service through their affiliate link.

They make the commission and don't buy your domain.

Yes, that makes more sense than raising a PayPal dispute.

Frank

Thanks

Signature

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613988].message }}

LivingCovers

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Matthew Maiden

Bhupinder ,

The person sending the email stating that they are interested in buying your domain is just trying to get you to purchase a service through their affiliate link.

They make the commission and don't buy your domain.

Matt

Now i understand perfectly. But one more thing.
Assuming you don't have that much for an appraisal
who'll foot the bill?

Gaining a ton of invaluable tips here. Thanks all.

Olatunde.

Thanks
2 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[614995].message }}

Richard Tunnah 15 years ago

I think we all get emails about domains we own. I always give a polite reply if I may sell asking the emailer to make an offer. That usually weeds out the scammers and the dreamers that want my great domain for $50! If I get a good enough offer I sell via escrow.com.

Rich
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[615061].message }}
Matt Bard 15 years ago

Originally Posted by LivingCovers

Now i understand perfectly. But one more thing.
Assuming you don't have that much for an appraisal
who'll foot the bill?

Olatunde,

Could be a numbers game like everything else. Any amount that pay is "free" money just for sending an email.

Also, he (scammer) could be getting paid clickthrough (like Adsense).

As someone here mentioned "escrow" there are "brokers" sites that check out both parties seller and the buyer.

When you are talking about more than a few bucks, you should always find one of these brokers and the small fees, if any are worth it.

The bottom line is if ANYONE sends you an email and tells or asks you to "click the link" you need to know who that person is.

Getting a few bucks ripped off is the least of your worries considering the amount of bad things that can be waiting on the other side of that "click".

Matt
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[615857].message }}

webpromotions

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Matthew Maiden

Bhupinder ,

The person sending the email stating that they are interested in buying your domain is just trying to get you to purchase a service through their affiliate link.

They make the commission and don't buy your domain.

Matt

Matthew is exactly right.

From what I've personally experienced, this scam is usually for the appraisal fees.

Some will just send you an 'interested in buying' message and a link for some obscure domain appraisal company...but the smarter ones will send you a 'list' of appraisal services.

A couple will be for reputable and expensive services like Sedo (non affiliate links), and then of course they include another cheaper unknown company (which is either a site they own or one they are an affiliate of). Of course, they hope the recipient chooses the cheapest service.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[627110].message }}

Jaycen

Banned 15 years ago

[DELETED]

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[613989].message }}

howudoin

15 years ago

The person sending the email stating that they are interested in buying your domain is just trying to get you to purchase a service through their affiliate link.

They make the commission and don't buy your domain.

Ok, now i get It!

So basically they will ask me to buy something from their link before buying my domain name

Thanks, Matt
Bhupinder

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[614893].message }}

Kenneth Fox

15 years ago

This is so crazy, I received the exact email
this morning for one of my domains.

Thanks

Signature

Check out my Fantastic PLR WSO

Birthday Sale-A-Thon
Popular Info Products For Pennies On The Dollar

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[614911].message }}

Johnathan

15 years ago

Interesting, I just received this e-mail (probably same guy) for about 2-3 domains...

Originally Posted by TheRealDomainer

Yes, if you registered domain and want to sell it, sometimes you encounter scammers who would want to play on you. And this will continue...

The theory: The scamer would ask that you appraise your domain and he will pay more than 85% of the appraisal. If you agree, then he could send his affiliate link with afternic etc and once you have paid for the appraisal, he is gone.

But if he wants your domain by all means, then he will ask that you transfer the domain, and he will send the money to you.

However, even if he sends your payment first before you send your domain, he will go back and report to paypal that he did not authorise the payment and paypal will raise a dispute and payment will also be reversed.

below is a typical of such mails and so be ware: I got this this morning:

Begining of mail from scamer James Johnson

Hello,
I came across your domain name ABJCONSOLIDATED.COM and I would be interested in
buying it from you.
Here is my offer, you have to send me a professional appraisal from one of the
following companies. and I will pay you 85% of the appraised price.
For payments under $2000 I prefer to use paypal. And for larger amounts of money I
prefer if we used escrow.com

I accept appraisals from any of these companies:

-sedo.com
-pedma.com
-accuratedomains.com

If you already have an appraisal from one of those companies please forward it to
me, and we will do business.

Regards,
James Johnson

End of scam letter:

Pls avoid this. You can use the email address and google it and see more

Good Luck all,

Henry Omenogor

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Make money from writing, find out how now.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[614919].message }}

Dan C. Rinnert

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Johnathan

Interesting, I just received this e-mail (probably same guy) for about 2-3 domains...

I feel so left out. Maybe he's still on "A" domains? I think I only have one of those, and it's lower in the alphabet than Ab, Ac, etc. so maybe he hasn't gotten down to me yet.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[614922].message }}

Dan C. Rinnert

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert

I feel so left out. Maybe he's still on "A" domains? I think I only have one of those, and it's lower in the alphabet than Ab, Ac, etc. so maybe he hasn't gotten down to me yet.

Hey, they made it down to my Am... name. I don't feel left out anymore.

They only offered me 55% of the appraised value though. Cheapskates.

But they will pay through Escrow if the amount is over $2,000. So, now maybe I just need to get Sedo.com to appraise my name at $4000+.

Haha. Um, no. I want five figures minimum for that domain anyway.

Thanks

Signature

Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[690350].message }}

Anne-Marie B

15 years ago

Thanks for the info. I am a total newbie to domain flipping and I read about that in another forum the other day also. Looks almost like some kind of blackhat tactic to get them to get an appraisal under their affiliate link and make a commision and never buy the domain.

Anne-Marie

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[615391].message }}

shane_k

15 years ago

if they want an appraisal tell them that they can pay for it.

Then if they decide to buy your domain you will take the cost of the appraisal off of the asking price.

although you would still want to run the numbers to make sure you make a profit.

Shane_k

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[615407].message }}

AtticusBaker

15 years ago

So, always research these people and get the money UP FRONT before selling a domain to anyone (unless you know them and can vouch for their character personally), yes? Great thread and thanks for the heads-up.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[615459].message }}

herrick

15 years ago

good advice thanks for the thread

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[616130].message }}

TheRealDomainer

15 years ago

Hello warriors,

Thanks for believing in my information.

I will always give more.

Thanks

henry

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[626549].message }}

zerivabella

15 years ago

Thank you for this post it has been very informative. Can you tell me if -sedo.com
-pedma.com and -accuratedomains.com are good places that give accurate assessments of your site.

I had been contacted to buy my site but I didn't really want to sell it. I didn't know how to value it, so these would be good.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[626622].message }}

JoeCool

15 years ago

Originally Posted by TheRealDomainer

However, even if he sends your payment first before you send your domain, he will go back and report to paypal that he did not authorise the payment and paypal will raise a dispute and payment will also be reversed.

You guys may be missing the more dangerous scam here.

Yeah, the guy can get a little commission from sending you to his "Appraisal Company" affiliate link, but the real scam comes into play if he pays you with PayPal.

You get the payment from him through PayPal, you transfer the domain name to him (possibly worth thousands) and then he files a dispute with PayPal saying you did not deliver the item, in this case your domain name, when actually, you did.

What do you think PayPal is going to do? Begin a thorough and quick arbritration process with you and the buyer over who scammed who, or reverse the payment back to the buyer from your PayPal account, thus giving him not only his money back, but your domain as well?

Now getting your domain name back will be a whole different nightmare I won't get into in this thread.

~JoeCool

Thanks

Signature

My Favorite Charity .:: www.Unitus.com ::. Helping Third World Entrepreneurial Families Help Themselves.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[627096].message }}

dearaewi

15 years ago

Disreputable people will always find some way to turn just about anything into a scam to net them some bucks. The internet has really opened things up for everyone... good and bad alike.

It's great to have a place to come to get a head's up on stuff like this. Thanks for the info!

Deanna

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[627154].message }}

Jonathan Mizel

15 years ago

Actually, if you read these emails VERY carefully, you'll realize that how these guys are making money with this scam (it's not affiliate links, BTW).

The second appraisal company listed is always a BS service like pedma.com that they own. They recommend their service alongside legitimate ones (Sedo, Moniker,etc.) who charge far more, and since they only charge $23, newbies are likely to go for them over the others to save money, and since they think there's a real offer on the table.

If they even provide an appraisal, it's a lowball estimate, so people who fall for this not only get a bad valuation, but they also sell for too cheap. And of course like others mentioned, these losers can then reverse the PayPal charges, effectively charging people to steal their domains.

Legitimate offers will always come from people who already know what your domain is worth, at least to them, and will never ask for an appraisal. They'll also use a service like Escrow.com that protects both buyer and seller.

Jonathan Mizel

Thanks

Signature

Your First Paid Traffic Campaign
www.MarketingMonopoly.com

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[627158].message }}

Be aware of this domain scam

Trending Topics

How did you turn it all around?

A healthy fascination for Hollywood...

Any thoughts on golf's latest phenom...Scottie Scheffler??

best high quality crypto traffic.

What's the Best IM-Related Skill to Learn Today That Can Help in the Future?