That is an old one...
You are a newcomer to the domain trading. You are all hyped and motivated. Suddenly you receive an email from a mystery client rep that wants to buy one of your precious domains. It looks too good to be true. It usually is.
But how did they get my info? In short, when you register a domain, you have to provide your private information to the registrar. The registrar then sends the information to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Your information is then made public. By using the whois tool, anyone can see your name, home or business address, telephone number, and email address.
A way to avoid this is to buy Private Registration. By purchasing Private Registration, you can hide your personal details.
There are several reasons not to want a Private Registration. Maybe you want to be visible and anyone can contact you regarding your domains. Or maybe you are afraid you are no longer the owner of your domain (the registrar hides your personal details by replacing them with their own which, in theory, makes the registrar the owner. Mind you, this will not be an issue in most cases). Also, some registries don't allow for Private Registration.
But mainly, in my opinion, it costs money. If you are doing domain flipping, you want to keep your spending as low as possible. Private Registration defeats that purpose.
Example: You buy 10 domains using coupons, buying each for 0.99. You spend 9.99 total. Now you buy Private Registration for all which equals to 9,99 each, totalling 99,99. Get the picture...
A second way to avoid scams is to register your domains with another address or PO box and use a secondary email address. That way your home address, phone number and main email are not displayed. You still get spam and scam emails but no need for Private Registration. No hassle or harassment in your main addresses. But again, PO boxes are expensive and not everyone has a second address laying around. It may not be ideal for everyone.
Anyway, whatever the case may be, this is what I do when I get one of those amazing emails. I always reply. I rarely get one of those nowadays.
Always do a search first. Gather information. Check the sender's email and name. Look for odd links contained in the email. Google the address and phone number provided, etc. Never take any email for granted.
Remember, if the email happens to be legit, the buyer will follow through the normal channels, those being the normal domain market sites, etc.
An example of a typical scam email. Lets call it the Appraisal Scam email:
Hello!
I represent an investor from USA who needs "domain_name" for a new project.
Are you still interested in selling this domain?
If so, please reply back and we will negotiate the price and discuss the sale process.
Are you a beginner in domain sales or an experienced seller?
Best Regards,
Joshua Meyerson
Lawyer
21 Zeev Vilany
Haifa
32982
Israel
528785248
My reply (fell free to use it):
Hello,
Thank you for showing an interest in buying "place_your_domain_name_here".
The domain is available for purchase.
The price can be negotiated. For a hassle-free, quick negotiation process, you can press the Buy Now option available at "place_your_domain_registrar_or_market_here".
Looking forward,
Your_name
Scammer's reply:
My client offers a sum in $35,000 - $45,000 range.
The exact figure will depend on the appraisal results (see below). Before we go further we need only one thing from you:
My client is a professional investor and he buys certified domains only.
If your domain has been certified, please email me the certificate and we will proceed with the sale. If you don’t have a certificate it’s not a problem. I may send you a link where you can obtain it. Please don’t worry. It takes 1-2 minutes to order it. The results will be sent to you within 24 hours. Then you send me the certificate via email and we’ll proceed with the sale
The certification includes the following:
1. Independent valuation of the market price. It will show your domain name is not overpriced. On the other hand if the valuation comes higher we will increase the price accordingly.
2. Trademark infringement verification. It proves your domain has no trademark problems.
3. Verification of the owner. It proves you are a legitimate owner and your domain has no any obligations and restrictions. I’m sure that you are a legitimate owner so it will be only a formality.
As a broker I’m very interested in a good valuation part of this certificate because my client pays me a commission (10-15% of the sale price) on every domain purchase. So I’m not interested in a low price too.
You can read about the certificate agency at http://ift.tt/2hO7QgP (“Domain Broker” is my nickname).
The process is very easy:
1. Go to the certificate agency site and order a certificate. Just submit your domains and let them know you have a buyer with $45,000 offer and need a valuation near this value. After several hours you will get the results. If the price in your certificate comes higher we will increase our offer accordingly.
2. Then send these results via email and we’ll proceed with the deal.
If you are new to the certification process, I can help you with the step by step instructions.
My Reply (again, feel free to use it):
Dear Joshua,
With the amount involved (which is unrealistic, the site is worth a lot less), I'm sure you'd already done the appraisal yourself and know the price. If you really want to buy this domain name, go to "place_your_domain_registrar_or_market_here" and buy it from there.
I also accept Escrow services provided by Escrow.com
If not, please, be a gentleman and remove my contact details off your list.
Thank you.
This is the most common email scam used.
There are others to be cautious of, specially the the ones coming from china, just to name a few:
China Domain Name Registration Center
Asian Domain Registration Service In China
The Department Of Registration Service In China.
They usually use these catch phrases:
"urgent brand registration confirmation"
"Domain dispute and protection"
"Asia, Cn, Hk domain name and Internet Keyword"
"Notice of Brand name registration".
xxxxxxx Renewal of domains (urgent casexxxxxxx)
Example of an email:
Dear Principal,
I am Will Zhang,Manager of Auditing Dept of HK TLD Creating Limited.
The domains "xxxxxxxx.cn/.hk/.asia<http://xxxxxxxxx.cn/.hk/.asia>......" you registered with us had been expired, would you like to renew them ?
If you do not renew, these domains will be cancelled the registration and file automatically, they will be available, any individual or company will have the right to register them. If you choose to renew, these domains will continue to belong to your company, no other organization or individual can infringe your Internet and trademark.
Since this matter is very urgent and important. I hope you give me a reply asap.
Best Regards,
Will zhang
Manager of Auditing Department
Just ignore them. Some people that replied to the emails even got a phone call from the supposed "registrars".
Hope it helps on your journey into the world of domain sales.
You are a newcomer to the domain trading. You are all hyped and motivated. Suddenly you receive an email from a mystery client rep that wants to buy one of your precious domains. It looks too good to be true. It usually is.
But how did they get my info? In short, when you register a domain, you have to provide your private information to the registrar. The registrar then sends the information to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Your information is then made public. By using the whois tool, anyone can see your name, home or business address, telephone number, and email address.
A way to avoid this is to buy Private Registration. By purchasing Private Registration, you can hide your personal details.
There are several reasons not to want a Private Registration. Maybe you want to be visible and anyone can contact you regarding your domains. Or maybe you are afraid you are no longer the owner of your domain (the registrar hides your personal details by replacing them with their own which, in theory, makes the registrar the owner. Mind you, this will not be an issue in most cases). Also, some registries don't allow for Private Registration.
But mainly, in my opinion, it costs money. If you are doing domain flipping, you want to keep your spending as low as possible. Private Registration defeats that purpose.
Example: You buy 10 domains using coupons, buying each for 0.99. You spend 9.99 total. Now you buy Private Registration for all which equals to 9,99 each, totalling 99,99. Get the picture...
A second way to avoid scams is to register your domains with another address or PO box and use a secondary email address. That way your home address, phone number and main email are not displayed. You still get spam and scam emails but no need for Private Registration. No hassle or harassment in your main addresses. But again, PO boxes are expensive and not everyone has a second address laying around. It may not be ideal for everyone.
Anyway, whatever the case may be, this is what I do when I get one of those amazing emails. I always reply. I rarely get one of those nowadays.
Always do a search first. Gather information. Check the sender's email and name. Look for odd links contained in the email. Google the address and phone number provided, etc. Never take any email for granted.
Remember, if the email happens to be legit, the buyer will follow through the normal channels, those being the normal domain market sites, etc.
An example of a typical scam email. Lets call it the Appraisal Scam email:
Quote:
Hello!
I represent an investor from USA who needs "domain_name" for a new project.
Are you still interested in selling this domain?
If so, please reply back and we will negotiate the price and discuss the sale process.
Are you a beginner in domain sales or an experienced seller?
Best Regards,
Joshua Meyerson
Lawyer
21 Zeev Vilany
Haifa
32982
Israel
528785248
Quote:
Hello,
Thank you for showing an interest in buying "place_your_domain_name_here".
The domain is available for purchase.
The price can be negotiated. For a hassle-free, quick negotiation process, you can press the Buy Now option available at "place_your_domain_registrar_or_market_here".
Looking forward,
Your_name
Quote:
My client offers a sum in $35,000 - $45,000 range.
The exact figure will depend on the appraisal results (see below). Before we go further we need only one thing from you:
My client is a professional investor and he buys certified domains only.
If your domain has been certified, please email me the certificate and we will proceed with the sale. If you don’t have a certificate it’s not a problem. I may send you a link where you can obtain it. Please don’t worry. It takes 1-2 minutes to order it. The results will be sent to you within 24 hours. Then you send me the certificate via email and we’ll proceed with the sale
The certification includes the following:
1. Independent valuation of the market price. It will show your domain name is not overpriced. On the other hand if the valuation comes higher we will increase the price accordingly.
2. Trademark infringement verification. It proves your domain has no trademark problems.
3. Verification of the owner. It proves you are a legitimate owner and your domain has no any obligations and restrictions. I’m sure that you are a legitimate owner so it will be only a formality.
As a broker I’m very interested in a good valuation part of this certificate because my client pays me a commission (10-15% of the sale price) on every domain purchase. So I’m not interested in a low price too.
You can read about the certificate agency at http://ift.tt/2hO7QgP (“Domain Broker” is my nickname).
The process is very easy:
1. Go to the certificate agency site and order a certificate. Just submit your domains and let them know you have a buyer with $45,000 offer and need a valuation near this value. After several hours you will get the results. If the price in your certificate comes higher we will increase our offer accordingly.
2. Then send these results via email and we’ll proceed with the deal.
If you are new to the certification process, I can help you with the step by step instructions.
Quote:
Dear Joshua,
With the amount involved (which is unrealistic, the site is worth a lot less), I'm sure you'd already done the appraisal yourself and know the price. If you really want to buy this domain name, go to "place_your_domain_registrar_or_market_here" and buy it from there.
I also accept Escrow services provided by Escrow.com
If not, please, be a gentleman and remove my contact details off your list.
Thank you.
There are others to be cautious of, specially the the ones coming from china, just to name a few:
China Domain Name Registration Center
Asian Domain Registration Service In China
The Department Of Registration Service In China.
They usually use these catch phrases:
"urgent brand registration confirmation"
"Domain dispute and protection"
"Asia, Cn, Hk domain name and Internet Keyword"
"Notice of Brand name registration".
xxxxxxx Renewal of domains (urgent casexxxxxxx)
Example of an email:
Quote:
Dear Principal,
I am Will Zhang,Manager of Auditing Dept of HK TLD Creating Limited.
The domains "xxxxxxxx.cn/.hk/.asia<http://xxxxxxxxx.cn/.hk/.asia>......" you registered with us had been expired, would you like to renew them ?
If you do not renew, these domains will be cancelled the registration and file automatically, they will be available, any individual or company will have the right to register them. If you choose to renew, these domains will continue to belong to your company, no other organization or individual can infringe your Internet and trademark.
Since this matter is very urgent and important. I hope you give me a reply asap.
Best Regards,
Will zhang
Manager of Auditing Department
Hope it helps on your journey into the world of domain sales.
Read More : [Guide] How to defend yourself from Domain Scam Emails and fraud
from A2S.in - Make Money Online
