alert The fund can't be withdrawal from Epik.com via Masterbucks wallet

[enamebroker]

It happened on 23rd Aug 2022 and this matter lasted almost one month without any process. Masterbucks.com declined my fund withdrawal and disabled the button of fund withdrawal. And I contacted Epik.com and got no further action even if Rob Monster got involved in it for two weeks. All the time I was told in email by management review.

What is wrong with Epik.com? Do you think it is normal to disable fund withdrawal? How can I get back my fund from Epik.com? Thanks for your suggestion.

 

[branding]

https://pilgrimconsulting.group/case-studies

Last one on the page. Guess all above should be reviewing their code to avoid future hacks.

 

[Future Sensors]

https://pilgrimconsulting.group/case-studies

Last one on the page. Guess all above should be reviewing their code to avoid future hacks.

I like their team.

 

[Future Sensors]

Yes, it really is them.

https://pilgrimconsulting.group/terms

 

[bmugford]

Candida.com has been transferred. I spoke with the owners. Nice people. Totally unaware of all. Had a 90 day lock.

Show attachment 231287

Probably a smart idea to transfer it. They could not feel safe with the domain at Epik.

Now this is on the radar of the FBI, Washington AG, probably ICANN, and who knows what other authorities.

There are some potentially very serious issues with Epik involving interstate commerce and electronic payments that will likely be investigated.

Brad

 

[Igor Gabrielan]

If they transferred the domain, then they cannot be considered as those who knew absolutely nothing.

 

[jmcc]

Probably a smart idea to transfer it. They could not feel safe with the domain at Epik.

This is an unusual status.
https://icann.org/epp#clientRenewProhibited

Regards...jmcc

 

[bmugford]

This is an unusual status.
https://icann.org/epp#clientRenewProhibited

Regards...jmcc

"This status code tells your domain's registry to reject requests to renew your domain. It is an uncommon status that is usually enacted during legal disputes or when your domain is subject to deletion."

EDIT: I just looked at some of my domains at GoDaddy, and I see the same status. I thought this could be related to having maxed out registration length, but I see it on other domains also.

For instance, I see this on one of mine -

• Domain Status:
  clientDeleteProhibited
  clientRenewProhibited
  clientTransferProhibited
  clientUpdateProhibited

Dates

• Registry Expiration: 2028-11-28 01:58:22 UTC
• Updated: 2022-09-11 00:30:58 UTC
• Created: 1999-11-28 01:58:22 UTC

Brad

 

[Gabriel360]

Brian Royce indicated that I misunderstood something and that he had not tried to make me an offer to take a $50K settlement of the $91K that Epik owes me for the sale of Candida.com on September 27th. So I am sharing the texts of our discussion. After he sent the text with the offer to settle for $50K or take a payment plan, I texted Rob. I was afraid to take a payment plan because I was afraid they would go bankrupt. So I felt pressured to settle. Rob told me that he was sure that Brian would present some options. And then I got the follow up text later on saying they would pay me $50K by end of Jan and $41K by the end of Feb. I have not received any money from Epik. Show attachment 231268Show attachment 231269Show attachment 231270Show attachment 231271

"I am a man of my word" - says no man of his words EVER.

This is horribly difficult to read.

Reading each text from Brian Royce leads to an increasing level of aggravation. The insincerity is glaring.

All his texts are meaningless words meant to placate and give false hope. That's why his texts are not clear or precise.

Basically, he talks like a professional scammer.

Also, he somehow makes it seem like he's doing you a favor by paying money his criminal company owes. He forgot that fresh, external $100K was injected into Epik.

Stole money and still committed to causing emotional torture. Very terrible!

Hope he and Epik face severe consequences soon.

 

[jmcc]

"This status code tells your domain's registry to reject requests to renew your domain. It is an uncommon status that is usually enacted during legal disputes or when your domain is subject to deletion."

EDIT: I just looked at some of my domains at GoDaddy, and I see the same status. I thought this could be related to having maxed out registration length, but I see it on other domains also.

For instance, I see this on one of mine -

• Domain Status:
  clientDeleteProhibited
  clientRenewProhibited
  clientTransferProhibited
  clientUpdateProhibited

Dates

• Registry Expiration: 2028-11-28 01:58:22 UTC
• Updated: 2022-09-11 00:30:58 UTC
• Created: 1999-11-28 01:58:22 UTC

Brad

Thought that with the FBI involved that there would a move to freeze the domain name. It could just be Godaddy's multiple status results.

Regards...jmcc

 

[GoKaizen]

Something weird is going on with the NameLiquidate expiring stream.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1620563579106729984

 

[jmcc]

Something weird is going on with the NameLiquidate expiring stream.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1620563579106729984

Grace period gone to 45 days? the first period can be set by the registrar from 0 to 45 days. If Epik has changed this period it might affect expired domain names.

Regards...jmcc

 

[GoKaizen]

@jmcc My expired domains are not showing in NameLiquidate even though they are being auctioned there.

It seems like Epik unilaterally decided to just end giving domain investors the proceeds from NL auctions.

NL is why I've used Epik for all these years.

 

[jmcc]

@jmcc My expired domains are not showing in NameLiquidate even though they are being auctioned there.

It seems like Epik unilaterally decided to just end giving domain investors the proceeds from NL auctions.

NL is why I've used Epik for all these years.

New management doesn't understand one of the attractions for people using Epik? It is sad to see a registrar lose its market like this. Then again, with all the employees leaving it could be a glitch in the system that hasn't been fixed or noticed.

Regards...jmcc

 

[Chris Hydrick]

This post didn't age well. "Have I been scammed? Yes"

Folks -- Always use escrow for BTC transactions. Always:

https://escrow.epik.com/

Epik is almost certainly the world leader for crypto escrow for domains. It works like a champ. Those who have used it know it to be true. And it keeps getting better.

As for the scam, it is likely that the scammer just wanted to get some BTC and cares not about the domain.

This scam is rampant by the way. Just mention Epik escrow and the scammers tend to disappear. It is like garlic to the vampire.

As for the domain, it is registrar locked now. We'll contact the registrant about the transaction and see what they have to say about it.

Watch out for the scammers. We are going to help clean up this industry. Check out this new feature at DNProtect.com:

https://dnprotect.com/stolen-domains

@bhartzer is doing some great work there -- mighty force for good to clean up the industry and help people from losing domains due to nonsense!

 

[bmugford]

New management doesn't understand one of the attractions for people using Epik? It is sad to see a registrar lose its market like this. Then again, with all the employees leaving it could be a glitch in the system that hasn't been fixed or noticed.

Regards...jmcc

 

[Lox]

Probably a smart idea to transfer it. They could not feel safe with the domain at Epik.

Now this is on the radar of the FBI, Washington AG, probably ICANN, and who knows what other authorities.

There are some potentially very serious issues with Epik involving interstate commerce and electronic payments that will likely be investigated.

Brad

They are under investigation. They're just not allowed to talk about it.

There are 3 possible outcomes:

1. Strategic shut-down (last 7 mo, active signals which have already ... developed the road to ...)
2. More likely, cut into flakes and recoup (for E investors) as much $ as possible in the sale.
3. More likely not; Rebranding.

IMO

Regards

 

[GNP]

They are under investigation. They're just not allowed to talk about it.

There are 3 possible outcomes:

1. Strategic shut-down (last 7 mo, active signals which have already ... developed the road to ...)
2. More likely, cut into flakes and recoup (for E investors) as much $ as possible in the sale.
3. More likely not; Rebranding.

IMO

Regards

There also is a 4th outcome...NON-strategic shutdown, ie go until the money runs out to pay the registry bills and then let ICANN clean up the mess. This is obviously the worst option for Epik users, but probably one of the 2 most likely options to happen. (The other is the strategic shutdown. Considering how messed up their operations seem to be, the odds of anyone willing to buy it (outside of an ICANN auction) is seemingly nill.)

 

[bmugford]

They are under investigation. They're just not allowed to talk about it.

There are 3 possible outcomes:

1. Strategic shut-down (last 7 mo, active signals which have already ... developed the road to ...)
2. More likely, cut into flakes and recoup (for E investors) as much $ as possible in the sale.
3. More likely not; Rebranding.

IMO

Regards

I would not be surprised if current or former Epik employees are contacted as these investigations proceed, specifically ones with knowledge of operations and/or escrow services.

This thread is actually a good starting point for anyone looking into this. It contains quite a bit of useful information as well as potential relevant contacts in regards to victims, Epik "staff", and potential related 3rd parties (like a portfolio buyer).

Brad

 

[Derek Peterson]

I would not be surprised if current or former Epik employees are contacted as these invesgiations proceed, specifically ones with knowledge of operation and/or escrow services.

This thread is actually a good starting point for anyone looking into this. It contains quite a bit of useful information as well as potential relevant contacts in regards both victims and Epik "staff".

Brad

Several employees have already been interviewed by law enforcement.

 

[bmugford]

Several employees have already been interviewed by law enforcement.

Very interesting.

I am curious to see how this plays out, because it seems like Brian is a useful idiot.

He really is not qualified to be running a registrar with limited, if any, experience in the domain field.
By any objective standard his reign as CEO has been disastrous.

Will Rob try to throw Brian under the bus and blame him for everything?
Will Brian play dumb and try to blame it all on Rob?

Rob is reportedly still the Chairman and 70% shareholder.
Why is he letting this go one? Why did he basically disappear from the internet?

Stay tuned...

Brad

 

[bmugford]

I have seen dozens of the same reports on domain forums, Twitter, blogs, etc.

With many of these transactions Epik has reportedly been taking payment in real currency, doesn't register/renew the domain, then returns the funds in "store credit".

Yet more shenanigans in converting real money into magic beans. Basically what happened to @Kathleen Kalaf, but on a smaller scale.

There have also been reports that the lack of renewals being applied has lead to the loss of domains.
There are cases where Epik did not apply the renewal, then auctioned the domain on NameLiquidate.

No one is buying that this is a "technical issue".

Again, people effected by issues with renewals, registrations, or transfers should consider filing a complaint with ICANN - https://www.icann.org/compliance/complaint

 

[Gube]

This is an unusual status.
https://icann.org/epp#clientRenewProhibited

Regards...jmcc

@bmugford already replied to this, but just to confirm, clientRenewProhibited is a regular status and it's set by the registrar. It can be set "by default" at some registrars, and when you do a renewal operation they remove it, execute the renewal command, then add it back.

 

[Mister Funsky]

They are under investigation. They're just not allowed to talk about it.

There are 3 possible outcomes:

1. Strategic shut-down (last 7 mo, active signals which have already ... developed the road to ...)
2. More likely, cut into flakes and recoup (for E investors) as much $ as possible in the sale.
3. More likely not; Rebranding.

IMO

Regards

There also is a 4th outcome...NON-strategic shutdown, ie go until the money runs out to pay the registry bills and then let ICANN clean up the mess. This is obviously the worst option for Epik users, but probably one of the 2 most likely options to happen. (The other is the strategic shutdown. Considering how messed up their operations seem to be, the odds of anyone willing to buy it (outside of an ICANN auction) is seemingly nill.)

The 'real' assets are the domains in the form of the recurring revenue generated as those names are renewed. If it is similar to other recurring revenue sales I've been involved with, take the renewal charges less registrar costs which equals x, then take x and multiply times 3-5 to determine what a quick sale of those names would be worth. Of course, if this happens it would mean an end to Epik

For me, the platform itself is the main thing that drew me to Epik years ago and once I was given cost/near cost for registrations it became my primary registrar.

There were a few people that worked there over the years that I would like to see come back in the event it survives. It would take a thorough 'house cleaning' to make sure the software, etc has been properly repaired and updated...perhaps some type of oversight of a neutral entity.

I'm not familiar with how much ICANN gets involved in cases like this. Maybe someone with a better understanding of the process could provide some information re: oversight.

My pricing there is being beat by more than one other registrar so that side of the incentive 'coin' is gone for me.

 

[Kt88]

Epik are going down. The time for an investor to come in and save Epik now has long passed. Who would invest money in a domain registrar that doesn't register/renew domains properly, owes millions of dollars to its customers, has a trashed reputation, and is under investigation by the FBI for stealing money? Oh, and you're investing in a company run by Brian Royce.

 

[Igor Gabrielan]

The FBI should pursue investors as they conspire with management to steal clients' money.