Paul Le Roux found a workaround to domain name suspensions: create his own ICANN-accredited domain name registrar.
I just finished reading Evan Ratliff’s book The Mastermind about Paul Le Roux. Le Roux ran a lot of unsavory and illegal businesses starting with an online pharmacy business called RX Limited.
Le Roux used a lot of domain names to sell pills online to U.S. consumers. In addition to operating an illegal service, many of the sites were promoted with spam. He knew that domain registrars would terminate his domain names for doing this so he found a workaround: create his own ICANN-accredited domain name registrar.
Le Roux created domain name registrar ABSystems using someone else’s identity and registered his domains through the registrar.
ICANN terminated the registrar in 2013. ICANN works with another registrar to transfer domains when it shuts down a registrar. Registrars look at this as a way to grow their business; in this case, EnCirca got stuck holding a bag of bad domains.
The detectives who chased Le Roux used Whois and DomainTools to connect the dots.
The Mastermind is a fascinating book in which domain names play a large role.
Anonymous says
Is it me or does EnCirca seem to always wind up with domains from terminated registrars?
Andrew Allemann says
I imagine they are one of the few willing to go through the hassle for small registrars.
steve brady says
Bitcoin was right around $100 during the time he went in.
Frank Michlick says
Thank you for the recommendation, bought the book.
Michael says
Weird, the hardcover book is cheaper than the paperback on Amazon! I’m adding the audiobook to my list of books to listen to.
Andrew Allemann says
Yeah, I think it might not actually be out in paperback yet and that’s a third party seller.
Himanshu says
Woha! Wonderful story. Can’t wait to read.
Neha says
The world has immense criminal minds.
Parthapratim Chakravorty says
Next is creating a shadow ICANN
James Bladel says
Reply All (podcast) had an episode on this guy. Amazing story
Andrew Allemann says
Yes, great podcast episode.
steve says
I read the book. Film rights have been sold. Quite a character — enigmatic. I’ve lived in Brazil. With a few million in the bank, you can live like a king. At the time he had over 350 million — he obviously hated the Philippines (where he made his RX fortune), so why not just retire in Brasil with his girl from Rio and their child. Hit squads. Liberia. Taking over Zimbabwe — his crazy colonial plan- that’s where he went off the rails as a white nationalist. On a funny note, I own the RX domain on one of the main sites he was using with dashes — I registered iit over 15 years ago, Maybe he was one of the person who made a lowball offer on Sedo 🙂
Dan lew says
It’s enough to go around.
Austin says
Criminal mind set individuals can rule the world. Quite desperate they are in nature