Another scam letter "Elite Investment Group"

[VisualArtistFrankBonilla]

Just recived this scam letter:

Hello,

We buy and sell domains and web pr®jects. What is your price for the domain?

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

Looking forward to do business with you.

Regards,

Brian Samuelson

CEO

WHC Web Hosting Consulting & Investment LLC

I looked them up on the internet, and here they are::

Domain valuation scam targets Sedo users « That Danny!

Of course, I knew it was scam right off. :zzz: Not even a good scam letter.

Frank

 

[siga]

received mine also thank you Jeremy.

Directed to sedo and he offered me twice the price the domain is listed for.

 

[nielsencl]

I suggest that when people get these messages, they respond as if they are interested. Then the scammer states that they require an appraisal from a certain company, Send that letter to the appraisal company and the appraisal company's hosting provider. Some appraisal companies seem to be using consultants to do appraisals and it may be the appraisers and not the companies that are doing the scamming.

 

[Kate]

@<domain99>: don't bother discussing with them, request a chargeback from your credit card issuer. If enough people challenge the charges they will eventually losing card processing privileges.

 

[ahooy]

I lost $81,xx I would punch this guy at his face. I already open dispute on paypal, contact swreg and ask refund for this transaction. Let see if they can bring my money back from this scammer.

 

[Canazee]

I suggest that when people get these messages, they respond as if they are interested.

I did so, and here's what I got:

" From: [email protected]

I have a 45,000 USD budget for 8-10 domain names. Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, my accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates . On the other side, it's very important for me in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage a valuation company with a REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my accountant trust.

To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:

http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/96381724.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. Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.

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.
Jeremy Hammond

CEO

Name Professionals Investing LLC"

 

[ahooy]

I will get this frauder jailed, no joke.

For everyone has become victims let's request refund together on swreg, if lot of complaint come to their account they will loss reputation on swreg and of course they would never run with that fraud money but ended in jail.

 

[nnann]

I received one a few minutes ago from [email protected] :

Hello,

We have an offer for your domain name. What is your asking price?

Our company invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a
list of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer "dot coms" and easy-to-remember names.

Regards,

Mark Leighton

President

NamePros LLC

 

[mistermarcio]

scammer

i lost 20 or 30 dolars i think, and im lucky because i was aboutt to pay for a package with many appraisals as i was a bit excited with it.

i agree that we should put this guy in jail!
what would be the proceedure that we do?

my credit card was already debited of this money about 2 months ago, do you think they will still give me refund?

let me know what you think i should do in your opinion, i have absolutly no experience with this.
i never even did request of credit refund on a credit card in my whole life

have a nice day!

 

[WGS_Thunder]

I got one too. From the president of Namepros LOL

Hello,

We have an offer for your domain name. What is your asking price?

Our company invests in domains and developed sites. In case you have a
list of domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer "dot coms" and easy-to-remember names.

Regards,

Mark Leighton

President

NamePros LLC
========================================================
NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================

 

[ahooy]

I link this page to SWREG support. Please anyone has been victims write in here to let them know this fraud.

 

[nielsencl]

- If you have been scammed, try to get a refund from your credit card comapny. Even if you fail, the more complaints they get, the better for them to notice the scammers and close their account.

- If you receive the above scan message which is clearly unsolicited commercial email or SPAM, report it to the hosting company and domain registrar. If you don't know how to report it send me a PM and I can explain how to do it. It will take a few minutes of your time, but it is very effective in shutting down the accounts of spammers and scammers.

Please note: From what I can tell the scam seems to be from one or more persons that provide apprasisals. They seem to be working through a company that has a web site and provides other services and the company contracts with the apprasier(s) to provide the appraisal. The company may or may not know about the scam, or which person is doing the scam. The company mentioned in this thread had been notified of what is happening and I have told them that if they are not involved, they need to warn EVERY appraisal customer that if a buyer has asked for an apprasial that it may be a scam, and that they buyer may just go away no matter what the appraisal turns out to be.

The scammer seems to be telling people that they have several choices for appraisals including SEDO's service and they are hoping that the seller will pick the site where they stand to make some money. This is a very subtle and low-key type of scam since YOU make the choice of where to get an un-needed and potentially worthless appraisal.

ALL APPRAISAL COMPANIES that use subcontractors or have an affiliate programs need to provide this warning to domain sellers.

And domain sellers should NEVER get an appraisal because a buyer wants one. If the buyer does not know the value of the domain and wants it, THEY need to first get an automated appraisal from sites like Estibot.com, then pay for an appraisal themself. If they then don't want to buy the domain, they should offer to sell it, AT A DISCOUNT, to the domain seller.

Summary:

- Make a LOT of noise and try to get your money back. If the credit card company doesn't work, email the scammer. Keep emailing them. If a company was involved, keep emailing them.

Post on forums and blogs and tell your story. But just state the FACTS of what happened and do not call them scammers or other names as it may cause problems for you. Only state the facts of the situation.

- Report offers like this. SPAM reporting can be very effective and it is the reason I can still use the same email address today that I started with back in 1999. Spam reporting works!

- Talk to appraisal companies. If they don't warn you about this kind of scam, ask them why not? Tell them about this thread and others like it.

 

[redshift]

I got this as well today. anyone else get this email within a few hours of responding to a wanted post here? just wondering

 

[mistermarcio]

is this the place i should make a complaint? Ecommerce Provider and Paypal Alternative is offered through SWREG ???

 

[ScamFighter]

No. This is not effective. They simply resend your complaints to the customer support. It's more effective to email their directors at [email protected] or abuse department at [email protected]. When I emailed their customer service they did not provide me with refund. But when I contacted their management they accepted my refund request and promised to punish the affiliate who ruined their reputation. Looks like some of their affiliates are using illegal marketing methods to foolish domainers. They promised to cancel his account and punish him.

 

[ahooy]

Someone in UK please check and verify this address, this scammer claim this is their company address.

COUNTRY: England
ZIP: HU10 6HJ
CITY: Hull
ADDRESS: 1 Regent Close
Ashgate Road
Willerby
phone: 4229125

---------- Post added at 11:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:14 PM ----------

And look at this, scammer try to foolish me again for second time:

from Research Appraisal <[email protected]>
to Ratna Wulandari <[email protected]>
date Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 1:33 AM
subject Re: To SWREG this is my proof fraud (KMM28971423I11273L0KM)

hide details 1:33 AM (12 hours ago)

Dear Ratna,

We will provide you with full refund after you post here the real information about our company at
http://www.namepros.com/639974-another-scam-letter-elite-investment-group-4.html

Just write that we rae customer friendly and we don't have relations to scam. We monitor this forum and as soon as we see your posting we will issue the refund within 3-4 hours.

from Research Appraisal <[email protected]>
to Ratna Wulandari <[email protected]>
date Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 12:51 PM
subject Re: To SWREG this is my proof fraud (KMM28971423I11273L0KM)

hide details 12:51 PM (1 hour ago)

We don't talk around. You should write a truth without "probably"

Example:
"It was my mistake. This company is legitimate and customer friendly. They have provided me with refund and my issue has been resolved."

That's all. Then we will issue a refund.

---------- Post added at 11:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 PM ----------

more..... look at this

from Research Appraisal <[email protected]>
to Ratna Wulandari <[email protected]>
date Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 1:07 PM
subject Re: To SWREG this is my proof fraud (KMM28971423I11273L0KM)

hide details 1:07 PM (1 hour ago)

Please stop writing false information. We don't believe you'll visit our head office in UK to verify where you spend 81 USD because you'll spend much more on the airline ticket from Indonesia to UK.

We cannot trust you. After we make a refund you can cheat us and write nothing. We are not so naive. Just write this info or no refund. Take it or leave it. We will not discuss it anymore. This is our last offer.

from Ratna Wulandari <[email protected]>
to Research Appraisal <[email protected]>
cc SWREG Info <[email protected]>
date Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 1:12 PM
subject Re: To SWREG this is my proof fraud (KMM28971423I11273L0KM)
mailed-by gmail.com

hide details 1:12 PM (1 hour ago)

You just talking around again, as I said I don't HAVE TO write on that forums because that forum said the truth!!! I have money to visit your company, I'm rich guy! I want my money back I already give you have 24 HOUR! Your IP from Russian but you said your company in UK? Give me your company address and phone number I WILL VERIFY!. I will cc this email to SWREG.

-------------------------------
I already escalate this dispute to claim on paypal. Let see what the result.

 

[nielsencl]

So namesaleshop.com wants you to say they have refunded your money before they have refuned it? Then they want you to lie for them. You are posting the conversation for all to see, so they should give you the refund and then you can post that they have done so. But I don't think you have post anything extra because it was not YOUR mistake, and I don't see that they are customer-friendly. They have not responded to the last email I sent them. Why don't they post their contact information on their site? They may be an honest company, but they don't seem trust any of us that we are honest.

 

[ahooy]

@nielsencl: exactly that what they want, I'm not writing any positive about them in here since I already know this guy between [email protected] and [email protected] is 1 person (both have same IP address from Russia, but they claim their office in UK, can you believe that?) I will never ever write positive about them, the effect may will bring more victims for them. he keep push me to write positive about their fake company and will refund my money after that, when I declined it, he call my sister b*tch... well.. friendly costumer support?

------------------------------------------
from Research Appraisal <[email protected]>
to Ratna Wulandari <[email protected]>
date Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 1:35 PM
subject Re: To SWREG this is my proof fraud (KMM28971423I11273L0KM)

hide details 1:35 PM (8 hours ago)

We are tired of you, histerical Indonesian bitch

----- Original Message -----
From: Ratna Wulandari
To: Research Appraisal
Cc: SWREG Info
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 10:30 AM
Subject: Re: To SWREG this is my proof fraud (KMM28971423I11273L0KM)

I'm not accept your offers and requirement, since you're NOT REFUND MY MONEY and YOUR COMPANY IS NOT LEGITIMATE (NO ADDRESS AND NO PHONE NUMBER). You have 24 hours to give me FULL REFUND. I cc this mail to SWREG again.

------------------------------------------

 

[nielsencl]

I think it's pretty clear that this is a company that does not understand customer service and being professional at least. At worst, they may be involved with what is going on and research is still ongoing to try and determne that.

I would forward all emails to SWREG and Godaddy, who is hosting their site. I would also post about this on other forums to warn people, as well as any blogs you may own. You can also create a single web page with this content, put it on your site, and link to it from your home page. Google and others will index the page it will start to show up for the name of the company and other keywords. People are getting better about searching Google for things like this and are very likely to find it before making the same mistake that others have made.

---------- Post added at 11:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:21 AM ----------

I decided to test namesaleshop.com to see if they would warn customers about this type of scam. I contacted them about some domains that a "buyer" asked me to have appraised. They did NOT warn me about the buyer appraisal scam. This is after I specifically told them they should be warning people if they were an honest company. So at this point I think they may be involved, or they really don't care if someone else scams their customers. Here is the email exchange:

-----Original Message-----
From: Research Appraisal [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 10:37 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Domain Appraisals

Dear Alma,

It will cost you 5 domains * 39 eur per name = 195 eur.

You can place your order at
Appraisal Certificates For Domain Names

Yes, we accept PayPal. You can select this option in the order form.

Our customer service is always ready to help you. We can help you to sell at Sell Domain Name

Sincerely,
Sara Almudhaf
Customer Support

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alma" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 5:58 PM
Subject: Domain Appraisals

> Hi,
>
> I have been contacted by someone who wants to buy my domains but they have
> asked that I get them appraised first.
>
> Here are the domain names:
>
> GraduateCatalogs.com
> Aurulent.com
> Poisonousness.com
> OverseasForwarding.com
> BinderMachines.com
>
> Can you tell me how much it will cost to have them appraised and if you
> take PayPal?
>
> Thank you,
> Wally Nordfish
>

---------- Post added at 12:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:53 AM ----------

No. This is not effective. They simply resend your complaints to the customer support. It's more effective to email their directors at [email protected] or abuse department at [email protected]. When I emailed their customer service they did not provide me with refund. But when I contacted their management they accepted my refund request and promised to punish the affiliate who ruined their reputation. Looks like some of their affiliates are using illegal marketing methods to foolish domainers. They promised to cancel his account and punish him.

If you are going to defend your company, you should do so in person and not by creating an account that tries to make it look like it is someone not connected with your company...!

 

[ahooy]

I don't get this agreement when I ordering.

"You have agreed with our user agreement in which we stated that we did not provide refunds for this service."
----------------------------

And here proof [email protected] and [email protected] / [email protected] is one person.

 

[ahooy]

swreg only forward my refund request to this frauder, I think there no hope to get my money back.