Comments on: The Incredible Mutating Domain Appraisal Scam

By: John

John — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:39:33 +0000

… got the same type of email today from some “Vasquez” from a “Bridge Technology” company whom can’t even bother to set their own domain name up… Using hotmail for serious business, not since pre-’95, thank you very much! =P
Just stay away from these morons…

HTH

By: keith

keith — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:13:12 +0000

posts #11, 12, 13 are all sample scam emails recieved today from

Anthony Bradley [realinvestllc@hotmail.com]

By: keith

keith — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:11:32 +0000

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 valuations. So
manual valuation is a “must” too.

I read the following information about appraisals at:
http://webdiscuss.007sites.com/Archive-07-2009/8152719.htm

Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to do business with you.

By: keith

keith — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:11:07 +0000

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://webdiscuss.007sites.com/Archive-07-2009/8152719.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.

By: keith

keith — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:10:39 +0000

*sample email

Hello,

We are interested in the domain in the subject line of this letter. What
are your expectations in us dollars or euros?

We are in real estate but invest in web project too. We have a solid
investing budget and our company is very interested in Internet names and
web sites.

If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.

Looking forward to do business with you.

Regards,

Anthony Bradley

Vice President

Real Invest LLC

By: keith

keith — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:10:08 +0000

Been dealing with a well thought out scam all day. He has been emailing me back and forth. Basically same story. He offered me $12,000 USD then says “nobody works without an appraisal it keeps us both safe”. Same forum that is bogus. Got my hopes up for nothing! haha

Moral of the story (if somebody wants you to pay money so you can sell them something its probably a scam)

By: DECEMBER14 Web Design Studio

DECEMBER14 Web Design Studio — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:56:31 +0000

Just yesterday (9 August) I received an email with exactly the same wording as in your previous posts, with the exception that it purported to come from “B. Phillips – Resale Domain” (resaledomain@gmail.com) and the appraisal companies listed were:

sedo.com
pddomains.com
accuratedomains.com

Two of these are legit. pddomains.com, which offers appraisals for $22.95, was itself only registered on 6 August 2009, and the contact details are hidden behind a whois privacy service based in Malaysia.

I guess it must be working for this guy, because he keeps on going. I wonder if a complaint to PayPal would do any good?