Warning ! Scam Email Offering to Purchase Your Domain Subject To Valuation**

[Domain Diva]

Thanks to help from Steve (NameTrader) I can confirm if you receive any emails with the basic following simlar comments its a scam.

We wish to purchase your domain for approx 50/60/70 percent of its value etc based on a valuation from ( and ususally 3 different links)...blah ..blah..... ignore it ....

[wizzart]

thanks for info

[~Ray]

what's the scam.. how does it go?

this thread does not deliver


~Ray

[dFaWebmaster]

much better explanation can have better exposure thanks for informing us as well

[Useless Warrior]

I'm fairly certain that I'd ignore an offer of 50/60/70 percent value anyway.

[bo$$]

I got something like this, they offered $10,000 on a really shitty .biz domain I had.. but told me they want a valuation from some shitty scam website

[pornask]

I suppose you are new to the interwebz. I thought everybody knew this scam already. This is how it works:

You get an email from someone offering you money for your domain name subject to appraisal. They will claim that they only trust this one appraisal company (their own), so you get your domain appraised with them, pay their appraisal fee and then the party that showed interest tells you they are no longer interested because "insert random reason here". Outcome - they just made money on you, the money you had spent for appraisal. You have literally paid this money to their pockets.

[Dr_Ace]

i got it yesterday

[XD2]

I got it today:

Dear sir,

we are interested to purchase your domain name AFFILIATE-FRIENDS.COM and would like to offer you 65% of the actual appraised market value.

As of now we accept valuations from one of these reputable domain name appraisers:

sedo.com
pozde.com
moniker.com

Should you already have an appraisal for AFFILIATE-FRIENDS.COM please forward it to us.

We appreciate your business,

Thanks,

R. Thomas

Obviously their website is the middle one and the cheapest so they take the chance you will go for that. I emailed them back and said if you want the domain you pay for the appraisal send me the certificate and I will knock the cost off the price.

[~Ray]

I wish they would all choke on a chicken bone,

wait.. do they have chickens in Nigeria?

[PornMD]

Originally Posted by pornask

I suppose you are new to the interwebz. I thought everybody knew this scam already. This is how it works:

You get an email from someone offering you money for your domain name subject to appraisal. They will claim that they only trust this one appraisal company (their own), so you get your domain appraised with them, pay their appraisal fee and then the party that showed interest tells you they are no longer interested because "insert random reason here". Outcome - they just made money on you, the money you had spent for appraisal. You have literally paid this money to their pockets.

This one is different because they list Sedo.com and Moniker.com alongside their own site as list of places approved for appraisal. I'm guessing though that if you got an appraisal at one of those places to show them, they'd probably be like "I don't agree with that evaluation - can you also get one at pozde.com just so I can get another perspective?"

Thankfully word about this scam is spreading so they aren't going to dupe too many people.

[Angry Jew Cat - Banned for Life]

that scheme is older than dirt....

another variation is the scammer contacts domain sellers on ebay saying that as a domain buyer/seller they feel that the domain the person is selling is grossly undervalued, and recommend the appraisal service that they supposedly use to value their domains before selling.

[VanZan]

yeah sure ... it is all over this shit. And I guess they make a lot of money with it still. said

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by PornMD

This one is different because they list Sedo.com and Moniker.com alongside their own site as list of places approved for appraisal. I'm guessing though that if you got an appraisal at one of those places to show them, they'd probably be like "I don't agree with that evaluation - can you also get one at pozde.com just so I can get another perspective?"

Thankfully word about this scam is spreading so they aren't going to dupe too many people.

Nice post PornMD , Yes you can be sure thats the plan they had in mind

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by XD2

I got it today:

Yes,they seem to have targeted a lot of people over the last few days ......

[Domain Diva]

Bump for anyone that missed this weekends posting .

[master_design]

Thanks for the headsup

[BigRod]

Thanks for the heads up Claire, I got that same email actually. I thought it might be legit because they listed sedo.com and moniker.com among the companies. I get most of my good domains appraised at moniker as soon as I buy them. I replied to the email and told them I already had an appraisal from 2008 and attached it. Never heard back. Shocking!

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by master_design

Thanks for the headsup

Your welcome master_design

Thanks BigRod,

Yes thats what made it look more genuine having Moniker and Sedo in the list.

I didnt want to see anyone lose hard earned $$$$ on a scam that maybe they didnt know about.

[Adam_M]

I got one of those Emails yesterday.

Blood scammers

[BigRod]

Just got another email and the three registrars are:

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

I tried to reply to the email [email protected] and it bounced back

[mightymike]

Sometimes I am bored, so I could not resist to get in touch with them:

THEY:
Hello,

We are interested in your domain name for sale. 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,
Jeremy Hammond
CEO
Elite Real Estate Group

ME:
Hello,

If you are interested in the domain, please feel free to make an offer.

Regards,
Mike

THEY:
Sorry for delay with answer. Our family was celebrating newborn child of my sister.
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/647013.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.

ME:
Hi,

You can place the bid on Sedo, where the domain is parked. Payment is also
with Sedo If you want it to be valuated, no problem, go ahead, but on your own costs
ofcourse.

Regards,
Mike

THEY:
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://domainblog.007sites.com/647013.htm
Thank you for understanding. I'm looking forward to do business with you.

ME:
I am the seller and sell my domain to anybody who gives me a good price.
I am not new in the domainbiz and what you say is not true. I have sold many
high-end domains without any valuation and those who wanted one, did it on
their own risk and own costs.
So if you want to pay 15k, why would you not pay a couple bucks more for an
independent valuation? I do not care about one, you do, so go ahead.
If you have done an valuation, please show it to me with the receip and I am
happy to accept the offer minus the costs you made.

So you have 3 choices:
1: Pay the 15k you offered and do so by Sedo
2: Go ahead and get an valuation with an indepentent company, show me the
rapport and receip and you pay the money the domain it's worth minus the
costs of the valuation.
3. Stop wasting my time trying to push your rules on me. I am the seller, I
make the rules.

regards,
Mike

THEY:
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.

ME:
Let's break down your message:

"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.."
WRONG! If they are such experts, they would know that SEDO is one of the
leading domaincompanys in the world. So doing business via Sedo is perfectly
safe. If your socalled industry experts say it is not, they are a fraud.

"Without manual valuation nobody will buy."
WRONG! I am in the domainbusiness for years now and always sold my domains
to interested people for big prices.

"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."
WRONG! Like I said, you are ready to pay 15k, so that is what the domain is
worth to you. And you are in the real estate business? Than you must know
that the buyer is always advised to do an check for the house, but the costs
are always for the buyer. You want the domain, you pay for the valuation.

I offered a perfectly safe option for you. You want the domain for 15k, if
the experts tell you it is woth less, than I accept that offer. If they say
it is worth 15k, I will reduct the costs you had to pay for the valuation.
Either way you are safe and you have the domain for the price it is worth
and the valuation is costing you nothing.

So unless you want to go ahead on my great and strong and reasonable terms,
we have a deal. If not, stop sending me messages about how you think this
must be done because I do not go on your terms. Like I said, I am the
seller, I set the rules.


THE END:
I did not hear from them ofcourse, but kept them busy for a while and had fun... lol

[Angry Jew Cat - Banned for Life]

Originally Posted by PornMD

they aren't going to dupe too many people.

there's a new sucker born every day...
scams like this come and go in cycles...

[Denny]

thanks for the heads up

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by Deny

thanks for the heads up

Your welcome Deny , if it saves just one webmaster $$$ its worth the post .

nice work mightymike

[arock10]

I bid $10

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by arock10

I bid $10

Cool ,but will you be requiring a valuation first !

[VanZan]

what is said, that I am sure this guys are making a lots of $$$$ over some less suspicious domain owners. I got a tons of these kinda email lately, so even at the first blink it was looking like unrealistic, but fuck I guess I am just more paranoid to fell for such. But I am really sorry for the ones they could cheat already.

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by VanZan

what is said, that I am sure this guys are making a lots of $$$$ over some less suspicious domain owners. I got a tons of these kinda email lately, so even at the first blink it was looking like unrealistic, but fuck I guess I am just more paranoid to fell for such. But I am really sorry for the ones they could cheat already.

I agree, you can be sure they are making good $$$$ off unsuspecting webmasters with this scam.

[The Seduction of Art]

I was wondering what that was all about. They made me a bid on a domain name I had that would make no sense to buy without the content.

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by The Seduction of Art

I was wondering what that was all about. They made me a bid on a domain name I had that would make no sense to buy without the content.

Seems they sent out a lot of emails this past week ,everyone I speak with has received one !

[gianttits]

thanks for the heads-up!

Thought it might be legit what with the links to sedo and moniker appraisals, but wasn't willing to sell any of my domains for 70% appraised value anyway, so ignored. Good to know it is a scam!!

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by gianttits

thanks for the heads-up!

Thought it might be legit what with the links to sedo and moniker appraisals, but wasn't willing to sell any of my domains for 70% appraised value anyway, so ignored. Good to know it is a scam!!

Your welcome

[collegeboobies]

obviously they want you to pay for "valuation services"

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by collegeboobies

obviously they want you to pay for "valuation services"

Of course, but the thing that made this scam look more genuine was by listing two of the most respected domain valuation providers that are Moniker and Sedo into the 3 choices.

[Domain Diva]

Anyone got hit with any mails today ? ...maybe they are easing off !

[Angry Jew Cat - Banned for Life]

i'm going to guess they're more giving up than easing off. this is an old passed around scheme, some noob spammer probably came upon it, hit a bunch of people hard, failed miserably, and moved on to the next hustle....

[PatrickKing]

Guess it was poor timing on my part looking to buy domains lol. I have been around here about 5 years with no drama.

[Miguel T]

Yeah, I also received that bullshit.

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by PatrickKing

Guess it was poor timing on my part looking to buy domains lol. I have been around here about 5 years with no drama.

You shouldnt have any problem Patrick unless your offering to buy based on a valuation service and list 3 you would like them to choose from !

[cyco_cc]

Originally Posted by mightymike

Sometimes I am bored, so I could not resist to get in touch with them:
(...Funny stuff....)

THE END:
I did not hear from them ofcourse, but kept them busy for a while and had fun... lol

They scammed you, too! Out of time that is ;) Send them an invoice for your time spent at the fair market rate of $150/hour for consultation.

[Wagerboy]

This is an old scam, correct. About 2 years ago I had someone saying they wanted to pay me alot for a domain, but needed to be "appraised" I said sure, give me 200 via epass to show me your serious and Ill pay to have it appraised. They did and i moved on. Works both ways i guess.

[Domain Diva]

Originally Posted by Wagerboy

This is an old scam, correct. About 2 years ago I had someone saying they wanted to pay me alot for a domain, but needed to be "appraised" I said sure, give me 200 via epass to show me your serious and Ill pay to have it appraised. They did and i moved on. Works both ways i guess.

Of course if someone is willing to pay for the appraisal thats different

From my experience most buyers ususally have some idea of what they want to pay,in fact l have never had anyone ask for a domain to be appraised before selling it them.

[Domain Diva]

One and only bump for this thread.

Hope it may have saved someone here from paying $$$$ for a valuation !

Have a great week

Thanks to everyone who replied.