Contacted via Facebook about domains

[Coopey]

Note to mods: I've posted here because this isn't a scam warning (yet!), but a query. If that's incorrect then please move to appropriate forum.

I've recently picked up a short, two-letter .tl domain name that matches the name of a script I'm writing.

The (alleged) previous owner has tracked me down via Facebook of all places. It's not that hard to find me with my surname, so I'm not having privacy concerns, but I'm wondering if there's some sort of scam that I'm not yet privy to?

The message:

Estimated Friend, until June 12, 2012 was an owner of the domain **.tl but I saw that on the 14th me arrebatastes .. do you want to sell it? I offer you 1000$ for, to return to my property.. A greeting

(arrebataste = took away? I assume he means dropped here.)

A quick WHOIS of the domains the sender has in his profile shows them registered to an address in Madrid, but his current location on Facebook shows 'London' (as my WHOIS address on the domain) which might be nothing, but has trigged some warning sirens.

I can't find evidence of any of his domains mentioned here, or at the other forum.

The domain was registered around 14th as a fresh registration with one of the CoCCA subsidiaries- there was no evidence that it had been registered before, but none contrary to that either. Seems strange that he let it drop on the 12th and then wants it back on the 18th.

Options-
1- Genuine Enquiry, user made a mistake and dropped his domain
2- Genuine Enquiry, user dropped name, but has had an offer to buy for a higher figure (hence starting at a tempting $1000)
3- Scam, user is going to ask me to pay for an appraisal or on sale try a chargeback
4- Scam, user is trying to get me to reply, opening up more of my Facebook profile details which he will then use to try and social engineer access to online accounts.

I've put enough time in to writing this script that I am going to ask for more than $1000 anyway- if I'm wading through lines of code changing references to the domain/script name then I'm getting remunerated!

I've been doing this long enough to treat any contact with an unfamiliar person warily. But I can't help thinking there's something a little off with this one. (.tl domain, Facebook contact). Am I missing something?

 

[rmg]

I would set a price and use Escrow.com for the transaction.

But don't forget to abort it if he asks for a appraisal. That would be without doubts a Scam.

 

[gcttirth]

Nothing wrong in replying him IMO, but the offer of $1000 seems too high. I don't think a potential buyer would quote a price first.

You can also try to get the deal over safe place like, through e-mails or IM.

Please, keep us updated. Would love to learn new lessons.

 

[Ms Domainer]

*

PLEASE! Not via IM--not at all secure.

I think it's a scam, so exercise due caution.

Still, act as though it's a real offer until you find out otherwise--that is, before you transfer the domain.

Go to the community section of this forum and read about all the possible scams.

*

 

[DubDubDubDot]

I wouldn't give this guy any hassles like Escrow.com. The potential reward of getting $1,000 for this domain is worth losing it over. Proceed as normal and ask for PayPal. I don't think anyone would tie up $1,000 of their money in a .tk PayPal scam. They'd find a decent .com. Considering the unusually high offer, things would get a little questionable if he asks for the domain before payment.

I've put enough time in to writing this script that I am going to ask for more than $1000 anyway- if I'm wading through lines of code changing references to the domain/script name then I'm getting remunerated!

That's what search & replace is for :bingo:

 

[Coopey]

Nothing wrong in replying him IMO, but the offer of $1000 seems too high. I don't think a potential buyer would quote a price first.

Indeed, I was surprised by the size of the initial offer too.
The names alright, but like most of mine it was bought to develop with no aftermarket aspirations. I'd appraise it quite low on its own without any development.

I wouldn't give this guy any hassles like Escrow.com. The potential reward of getting $1,000 for this domain is worth losing it over. Proceed as normal and ask for PayPal. I don't think anyone would tie up $1,000 of their money in a .tk PayPal scam. They'd find a decent .com. Considering the unusually high offer, things would get a little questionable if he asks for the domain before payment.

In the end I replied with a higher price, offering to split Escrow fees, buyer came back with $1500 and said to initiate Escrow.
He seems sincere, and with the escrow.com protection I'm feeling quite confident (I suggested just to see if he countered with a suggestion of 'Western Union').
So I think this is just a very lucky sale.
Even if the guy has found someone to buy it for $10k, he's done the work for that and I'm nearly $1.5k up for doing essentially nothing. Everyone wins.

That's what search & replace is for :bingo:

Yep! Pain the neck trying to think up a new & funky, small URL now though.

 

[Kate]

Good luck if the deal goes through.

 

[Coopey]

As an update for those interested, after seeming quite eager yesterday, it's been 24 hours without any contact.

Seems like a time waster! Ah well.

 

[gcttirth]

As an update for those interested, after seeming quite eager yesterday, it's been 24 hours without any contact.

Seems like a time waster! Ah well.

Sometimes, the so-called "buyer" would continuously send queries. When all the doubts are cleared, he never replies back -- end of deal.

I know it because I have experienced it thousands of time in the PTC industry.

Let's hope it is not the case with you and you complete the deal.

Best wishes,
gct

 

[Coopey]

Turned out to be a time waster after all.
Escrow transaction has just timed out, so have posted in the Warnings forum in case anyone else has the displeasure of dealing with this guy:
http://www.namepros.com/warnings-and-alerts/761824-warning-time-waster-jesus-vargas-jvdomainer.html

 

[bulkdomainz]

^^^^ What a shame about the 'time-waster'! I had one once whom I negotiated with for over 4 months (I can't believe it myself) ....! Lots of them around!

 

[Coopey]

Four months? Crikey!