Scorpiono.com

Domain name scammers - “Good” deals

Post updated on: 10.September.2008

2 days ago I’ve recieved this in my email, regarding to s5audi.com which I recently purchased.
The email comes from ngservices@phreaker.net - phreaker?!

I’ve replied back, I’m selling it for $500 USD - he agreed but..

I’ve told him, you pay for the appraisal I sell, I’m not going to make any investment since you are the buyer.

Update on 10.September.2008:

Update on 29.October.2008:

Nathan has an intersting part as of the “monetization” the scammers recieves, read comment #30.

34 Comments so far

1. 1.

   Scorpiono says:

   On July 1, 2008at 1:05 pm

   Vancouver, Canada - 207.6.148.222

2. 2.

   Scorpiono says:

   On July 1, 2008at 1:16 pm

   213.140.225.228 - Koeln (IP of the scammer)

3. 3.

   Alex says:

   On July 1, 2008at 1:58 pm

   I got a similar e-mail:
   “Greetings! ****.com has been found via online auctions. Please let us know the your price and we will consider it. Our company is investing in High Tech and IT projects. Now the domain market is very attractive for us, since every business in the Internet requires a domain. Looking forward to do business with you. Regards,
   Anthony Stecker
   Vice President
   N G (The Next Generation) Services”

   Thanks for letting me know it was a scam

4. 4.

   Scorpiono says:

   On July 1, 2008at 2:17 pm

   My plesure Alex

5. 5.

   ahmed says:

   On July 1, 2008at 5:28 pm

   i’m too
   recieved the same letter
   Thanks for letting me know it was a scam

6. 6.

   Appraisal Scam | Avoid Domain Scams - Buy, Sell Domains Safely says:

   On July 5, 2008at 10:53 pm

   [...] I e-mailed him back, but I was immediately suspicious in part because the price of my domain was listed on Sedo. I googled him and found this: http://www.scorpiono.com/the-daily-…mers-good-deals [...]

7. 7.

   links says:

   On July 8, 2008at 2:36 pm

   I get a lot of those scam artists trying to sucker me into getting an appraisal. Thanks for writing this post. Everyone needs to be warned of these scammers.

   BTW, I use moniker for domain appraisals. One of the few recognized by the IRS.

8. 8.

   wayhm says:

   On July 8, 2008at 10:53 pm

   i had received the same letter,it’s a domain appraisals scam?

   —————————————————-
   Greetings!

   myoo.cn has been found via online auctions.

   Please let us know the your price and we will consider it.

   Our company is investing in High Tech and IT projects. Now the domain market is very attractive for us, since every business in the Internet requires a domain.

   Looking forward to do business with you.

   Regards,
   Anthony Stecker
   Vice President
   N G (The Next Generation) Services

9. 9.

   wayhm says:

   On July 8, 2008at 11:24 pm

   there is my other great domains
   setoo.com
   haiao.com
   laizi.com
   kuniu.com
   anrou.com
   laimeng.com
   alidoctor.com
   vinva.com
   chinaqb.com
   qiuye.com
   kaidisi.com
   haoze.com
   sumlong.com
   alikf.com
   alizzz.com
   alipw.com
   blune.com
   chinavoting.com
   sina2.com
   xixi365.com
   yingkelai.com
   yangtingna.com
   xmbobing.com

   i’d like to chat with some trade
   msn: daoku0592@hotmail.com

10. 10.

    Scorpiono says:

    On July 9, 2008at 8:12 pm

    Not sure how much this comment will help you sell, but I’ll keep it here, it’s 4 AM, too lazy to edit it.

11. 11.

    TANYA says:

    On July 13, 2008at 10:18 am

    I received the same e-mail. Definitely a scam!! Who should we notify of this scam to protect everyone else?

12. 12.

    Scorpiono says:

    On July 13, 2008at 11:01 am

    Just digg the story - check BOOKMARK at the bottom of the post. This should help others!

13. 13.

    Directory Submission says:

    On September 2, 2008at 1:40 pm

    just try to keep your personal email private and you will be fine

14. 14.

    rachel says:

    On September 6, 2008at 10:40 pm

    i recieved the same email but this time it came from monteiro@eliteinvestment.net and the person name Anthony Monteiro
    CEO ELT LLC. i went online and typed http://www.eliteinvestment.net and fund one page that was copied from CT.gov and with there logo too. i sent them email to let them know that somebody is using there content and i am wating for there reply. i sent him an email and asked him to give me his phone number, he told me that he is from Norway and gave me this number 608 2183. of course i did not call. i checked his email address on the internet and it is from Scottsdale Arizona. his website http://www.eliteinvestment.net is registered on networksolutions in Scottsdale Arizona. he also gave me a place to go to : Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
    http://webtalk.007sites.com/Archive/421689.htm. i went to this page and it is a one page that go nowhere, another scamme page. also there is a link to http://www.EasyNameSale.com for appraisals. this website is also registered in Scottsdale, Arizona.

15. 15.

    Scorpiono says:

    On September 10, 2008at 9:32 am

    Good investigation Rachel, I’ll update the post soon.

16. 16.

    rachel says:

    On September 10, 2008at 12:12 pm

    since i did not know where to make a complaint, i call my local police and they told me on http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx and they will take it from there. so if anybody wants to make there complaint, go to the address above and file your complaint, because the FBI is looking for more that was scammed. this answer is for Tanya no. 11

17. 17.

    Matt says:

    On September 16, 2008at 6:05 am

    Yeah I got the same email:
    > Hello,
    >
    > Your domain name has been found online.
    >
    > Please let us know your price.
    >
    > We make money on selling and buying names and sites. Now the domain
    > business is very attractive.
    >
    > Looking forward to do business with you.
    >
    > Regards,
    > Paul Rancour
    > CEO
    > ELI LLC

    from president@eliteinvestment.net
    Thanks for the warning.

18. 18.

    Scorpiono says:

    On September 16, 2008at 8:11 am

    My plesure Matt, subscribe

19. 19.

    Alaettin Ayar says:

    On September 16, 2008at 5:45 pm

    Really thanks for warning, i found here by searching their domain name eliteinvestment.net. I was just trying to see their reputation. I’ve sent an answer with full of good sentences

    Really thanks again…

20. 20.

    Scorpiono says:

    On September 16, 2008at 5:47 pm

    All my best wishes Ayar, subscribe

21. 21.

    maria says:

    On September 19, 2008at 11:40 am

    i also got the same email.

    Hello,

    Your domain name has been found online.

    Please let us know your price.

    We make money on selling and buying names and sites. Now the domain
    business is very attractive.

    Looking forward to do business with you.

    Regards,
    Paul Rancour
    CEO
    ELI LLC

    thanks for the warning

22. 22.

    rachel says:

    On September 19, 2008at 12:51 pm

    to anybody that recieved this scam email, please go to:
    http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx
    and make a complaint. this is the FBI page and they know already about this kind of email and waiting for more people to make there complaints, they will catch this crooks.

23. 23.

    Matt says:

    On September 20, 2008at 4:25 am

    Hi, Matt again from before. Check out how bad I drilled this guy!

    —ME—
    Paul,

    Do you have any affiliation with the below named sites or any sites
    mentioned therein?

    Thanks,
    Matt
    ——–

    —HIM—
    Very funny. Yes, I have affiliation with each and every site including
    Porn.com
    ———

    —ME—
    Yes, I find it quite funny actually.

    And so do these people:
    http://www.scorpiono.com/the-daily-www/domain-name-scammers-good-deals
    …and these:
    http://namepros.com/warnings-and-alerts/492270-easynamesale-com-scam-phrll
    …and these:
    http://www.webdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=189139
    …and these:
    http://www.webdesigntalk.net/showthread.php?p=3034246#post3034246

    In fact, you’re known all over the web. All I had to do is search for your
    email address, and up came pages of forums warning me that you were a
    scammer. I knew it right from the beginning. I was just taking you for a
    ride.

    You’re pathetic. Because now everybody knows that appraisal scams are
    commonplace, and (even if you change your email address, and company name,
    and website) people will still recognise the scam.

    Its great to see you’re still so keen to do business with me after you get
    exposed. And by the way, the domain offer still stands. In fact, I’ll
    discount it. Just to show you how much I accept the effort that you put into
    all of this.

    You can now have the domain for $999 US.

    PayPal is best. You’ll find the domain on Sedo, one of the places on the net
    where people actually go to buy domain names, not scam others into getting
    half-arsed bullshit appraisals. I’m sure the domain will skyrocket in value
    once the biz TLD gains popularity however. You could even use it for your
    own enterprises! Imagine that - finally a new name!

    Regards,
    Matt

    P.S. What is your name? I know it’s one of these:
    -Paul Rancour, CEO ELI LLC
    -Anthony Stecker, Vice President, N G (The Next Generation) Services
    -Anthony Monteiro, CEO ELT LLC
    -George Sterling, President, PHR LLC
    -Sebastian Sterling, Vice President, PRS LLC
    -Robert Gardos, CEO, Elite Investment
    -Anthony Ogilvie, General Manager, EI LLC
    …sorry if there are any I’ve missed. I guess your company must just have a
    high employee turnover.
    ——-

    p0wned!
    Again, thanks for the warning!

24. 24.

    Christian says:

    On September 23, 2008at 9:14 am

    Offer for sexusb.com (sent 09/23/2008)

    davidson@eliteinvestment.net

    show details 3:23 PM (49 minutes ago)

    Hello,

    Your domain name has been found online.

    Please let us know your price.

    We make money on selling and buying names and sites. Now the domain
    business is very attractive.

    Looking forward to do business with you.

    Regards,
    Andrew Weisberg
    CEO
    ELT LLC

25. 25.

    Adam says:

    On September 26, 2008at 10:24 am

    I have had this email and a few others offering me $12,000 for a worthless domain.

    This message below was the first one I received.

    Hello,

    Your domain name has been found online.

    Please let us know your price.

    We make money on selling and buying names and sites. Now the domain
    business is very attractive.

    Looking forward to do business with you.

    Regards,
    Anthony Monteiro
    CEO
    ELT LLC

26. 26.

    gogu says:

    On September 28, 2008at 8:54 pm

    I received the same e-mail…I am gonna play with these guys a bit…if I find out who they are I will let you know.

27. 27.

    oliver says:

    On October 1, 2008at 1:41 am

    I received the same email from Davidson

    Can you accept 4,000 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://webtalk.007sites.com/Archive/427315.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.

28. 28.

    Wayne May says:

    On October 5, 2008at 12:21 am

    I recieved an email from Norway Capital Investment, with the email address jknight@eliteinvestment.net, who seems to have an address in the UK, but is marked private on Godaddy. This domain is 11 months old. Anyway, they have been offering me money for my “localbaronline.com” domain. This was my last response back to them:
    ”
    I am curious why you email me from Norway Capital Investment, and your actual email address is eliteinvestment.net. Also, I am more curious why your email address does not support Sender Verification.
    And how do you explain these websites?
    http://www.scorpiono.com/the-daily-www/domain-name-scammers-good-deals
    http://66.228.113.22/message8226-www.eliteinvestment.net.html

    Once you have a real offer, and can pay me $1000 for a domain, with money in my account before I transfer the name, I will sign it off to you. Otherwise, I can always claim a domain back within 60 days if it was “stolen” either through godaddy (who you also host with) or the ICAN. Your choice.

29. 29.

    xedd says:

    On October 20, 2008at 4:32 pm

    Same here.
    This time the guy’s name is Carter (the “company” is the same - eliteinvestment.net)

    1st mail:

    Hello,
    Your domain name has been found online.
    Please let us know your price.
    We make money on selling and buying names and sites. Now the domain
    business is very attractive.
    Looking forward to do business with you.
    Regards,
    Anthony Carter
    Vice President
    Elite Capital Investment Group

    2nd mail (after referring him to go to Sedo and make a proper offer):

    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://webtalk.007sites.com/Archive/461239.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.

    3rd mail (after referring him to Sedo yet again):

    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 vlauations. So
    manual valuation is a “must” too.
    I read the following information about appraisals at:
    http://webtalk.007sites.com/Archive/461239.htm
    Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.

    They are pathetic!

30. 30.

    Nathan says:

    On October 28, 2008at 6:59 pm

    I recieved a similar offer from carter@eliteinvestment offering 5000USD.

    Currently in process of stringing him along….

    I have done some research… it is true that most appraisals use a 5 point system, and the better ones use a 10 pt system… and theres a mix of human and automated ones… and that the better ones have had human influence over them as humans recognise the value of words together more than machines can do…

    BUT…. heres the interesting bit…
    While there are many many appraisal places, there are only a limited number of appraisal softwares that are being used…
    and many pay both the site holder, and a royalty to the software maker…
    Ive a suspicion that this guy isnt just a site holder, but involved in recieving royalties for an appraisal software that hes created.

    He then provides so many site links and many people would think “good deal… ill appraise it and say nothing unless the value is good” and use one of the many off the list..

    I did likewise but on my terms so used my own registrar for the appraisal.

    Just seems to be TOOO many site addresses that he runs by people for him to then just have an interest in the one he seems to promote. I think this guy is recieving royalties for a common appraisal engine, and hes actually generating throughput and hits for his resellers…. which in turn becomes dollars for them, and then for him..

    Has anyone ever signed up to purchase an appraisal site off ebay?? do you seem to get far more hits and throughput than you really expected?? keep an eye out, you might be recieving some of this traffic..

    The most effective and profitable business systems on earth are ones that steal from the masses, provide massive payouts to its participants and are self perpetuating..

    if im right.. his software users collect large values from a large number of domain holders, provide large profits for the appraisal site owners he supports, and in turn for himself. And he perpetuates the income by scamming and emailing domain holders that have parked with sedo or other parkers… i mean… best place to hit is where people actually are wanting to sell…

31. 31.

    Scorpiono says:

    On October 29, 2008at 6:57 am

    Nathan has an interesting point of view and by far the most realistic in my opinion.

    I’ve never used any appraisal as it varies so much, but I’ve seen people use them at GoDaddy just to get a boost of trust for the potential buyer.

32. 32.

    toboze says:

    On November 2, 2008at 2:14 pm

    I recocived the same message.

    the mail arrived from: clotier@eliteinvestment.net

    He said his name is:

    Jean Clotier
    CEO
    Elite Network

33. 33.

    Nathan says:

    On November 2, 2008at 7:10 pm

    lol.. seems to be a lot of CEOs in that business… :p

    if anyone else has their rejection of the offer followed by a warning that looks to come from ENom please note it…. i got one soon after rejecting or making it known that it was a scam… and interestingly enough.. it came from the same area as many people have tracked the elite guys to… i think it was something like scottsburg off the top of my head…

    the email states that your details are incomplete, and nothing about which domain. the link will say enom but a mouseover will tell you it goes elsewhere…

    If this is the same guys and part of their routine… then surely we can then have enom chasing them for trademark violation or something too… add some pressure…

34. 34.

    Aron West says:

    On November 7, 2008at 5:10 am

    I just got the same set of e-mails with almost identical wording. My “contact” is:

    Eric Jorgensen
    Vice President
    Elite Invest Network

    I had a feeling it was a scam: he was rushing to make a deal, but then suddenly wanted to slow it down.

    Aron

34 Responses to “ Domain name scammers - “Good” deals ”