Homeland Security is interested in my domain??

[Kamikaze]

Hey guys...
I've got an offer of $2.4K on one of my domains (I would PM the name if wanted).
Along with some comments like:
"we are offering you a high amount and expect no counter offer and hesitation to transfer over this domain".
I've googled the phone number and it's of Homeland Security USA.
I've googled the name of the sender, and it is a person in Homeland Security USA.
I've googled the address they've sent me, and (you guessed) - it's Homeland Security USA.
I need to mention though that the I.P trace comes from Ontario, Canada.
Do you think it's legit?
I would really like to hear your opinions!

 

[Kamikaze]

Well I guess that I.P is because they've sent this "offer" by clicking the link on the top of the VOODOO page for contacting the owner...

I have no idea what's going on -
I'm still waiting for the FBI reply (guess they're "out" also??).
As for calling them, I also called "Media Inquiries" phone numbers -
Rachel McEneny - 518-242-5133 (got to a voice mail),
William Peat Jr - 518-292-2311 (voice mail, he's out till 24th).
As for me, yes, I'm currently from Israel (and that's about to change).
I guess I'll try calling them tomorrow and see how it checks out :\
If anyone knows/has another number I can reach someone NOW - let me know.

---------- Post added at 08:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:34 PM ----------

O.K, updates...

I tried number 202-282-8000 (Operator Number) which I got to a voice mail.
I then called 202-282-8495 (Comment Line) and someone picked it up (!).
I told them I got an email blah blah blah - and asked for this person.
She asked me to spell out her last name, in which I did.
She then told me : "there's no such person in our global system".
I thanked her and closed.

Now I'm asking -
1. is there an option for her not to tell me there's a person with this name even though there is? (security reasons)?
2. should it be a good shot to try the number I've got in the mail? (to specifically get her extension)?

 

[alien51]

Does it really matter to you if the person is not using his/her real name?

If legit is the issue, escrows would secure your money no matter if the guy is from Palestine. Right?

 

[cdboard]

202 is the DC area code. it sounds like you need to contact a STATE organization (New York).

the fed operators might not have the state folks in their lookup lists.

states have their own "homeland security" divisions. some use that phrase, others do not. http://www.dhs.gov/xgovt/editorial_0291.shtm


New York.

 

[Kate]

Could it just simply be a domain that an employee there may want to use for personal/business reasons and emailed you from work?

Yes, first question I would ask is whether he is representing the administration or looking to buy in a personal capacity (using his work E-mail for more impact).
No need for a traceroute, the IP address of origin of the .gov mail server should be straight in the headers - or not.

 

[carob]

"we are offering you a high amount and expect no counter offer and hesitation to transfer over this domain".

Ask them why they say this, and if they would consider an alternative domain from your collection.

Are you happy with the amount? If so then I'd accept, unless you think you could get more. What if an employee is buying this on the quiet because they know from their eavesdropping that someone out there is willing to pay them $50k for it?

 

[Kamikaze]

Mail header:

Return-path: <[email protected]>
Envelope-to: **MY-EMAIL**
Delivery-date: Sat, 21 Jul 2012 02:45:12 -0500
Received: from www.voodoo.com ([173.212.56.100]:55157)
by prefect.websitewelcome.com with esmtp (Exim 4.77)
(envelope-from <[email protected]>)
id 1SsUNE-0008TT-1A
for **MY-EMAIL**; Sat, 21 Jul 2012 02:45:12 -0500
Received: by www.voodoo.com (Postfix, from userid 0)
id 721B8129043; Sat, 21 Jul 2012 00:45:01 -0700 (PDT)
To: **MY-EMAIL**
Subject: Inquiry about **THE-DOMAIN-NAME**
X-PHP-Originating-Script: 0:ForSaleEmail.php
From: [email protected]
MIME-Version: 1.0
X-Sender: [email protected]
X-Mailer: PHP
Reply-To: [email protected]
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2012 00:45:01 -0700 (PDT)
X-Spam-Status: No, score=-0.0
X-Spam-Score: 0
X-Spam-Bar: /
X-Spam-Flag: NO
X-Antivirus: AVG for E-mail 2012.0.2197 [2437/5144]
X-AVG-ID: ID58EADE19-5C42F06E

---------- Post added at 11:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 PM ----------

@carob - I've sent out this reply (first reply via email to them):

~~~

Hello **HER-PRIVATE-NAME**.
Would you consider an alternative domain from my collection?
Let me know.

~~~

Now I'll wait and see if there's any reaction.
I'll also try and call this specific extension tomorrow or the next day.
I'll keep you guys updated!

 

[lennco]

Most government offices are closed until Monday.

Now if you are satisfied with the $2400 offer and you want to play it safe then just put it on Sedo as a Buy Now and let them buy it through Sedo, as long as you dont mind paying 10% fee.

But Sedo is a better escrow then Escrow.com.
They will handle everything and wont give up the domain until payment has been received.

Good luck

 

[johname]

Hello **HER-PRIVATE-NAME**.
Would you consider an alternative domain from my collection?
Let me know.

You asked them if they want another name out of your collection? First the answer would be no and second they may take it as you wont sell the name and not contact you again. I guess this was just to see if they will write back lol

 

[freedom30]

Most government offices are closed until Monday.

Now if you are satisfied with the $2400 offer and you want to play it safe then just put it on Sedo as a Buy Now and let them buy it through Sedo, as long as you dont mind paying 10% fee.

But Sedo is a better escrow then Escrow.com.
They will handle everything and wont give up the domain until payment has been received.

Good luck

...that is lennco's honest and qualified opinion, of course.

Myself, Escrow.com is reputable enuf for me and they WILL have their money to disperse to you. I, of course would have the buyer pay the fees.

I wouldn't give sedo a red cent...

 

[DU]

The Government overpays for everything. Probably a $10 domain.

I want to approve how they do all their nonsense discretionary spending... you got a .gov use that... we won't even have to wonder if it's a legitimate govt site then.

 

[lennco]

...that is lennco's honest and qualified opinion, of course.

Myself, Escrow.com is reputable enuf for me and they WILL have their money to disperse to you. I, of course would have the buyer pay the fees.

I wouldn't give sedo a red cent...

I wouldn't say Escrow.com isn't reputable, but its not a Full Escrow service.
That's not my opinion that's a fact.
There are ways to manipulate their service and people have done just that.
Not saying it would happen, just that it has happened.

 

[freedom30]

I wouldn't say Escrow.com isn't reputable, but its not a Full Escrow service.
That's not my opinion that's a fact.
There are ways to manipulate their service and people have done just that.
Not saying it would happen, just that it has happened.

...I'm not here to argue the point. I like Escrow.com over sedo, that's all...

If you could provide an illustration of how they can be manipulated it would educate me...

Somehow, I feel that sedo may be not be 100% foolproof, either, but I do not have proof of that so I'll take your word on it...

 

[lennco]

...I'm not here to argue the point. I like Escrow.com over sedo, that's all...

If you could provide an illustration of how they can be manipulated it would educate me...

Somehow, I feel that sedo may be not be 100% foolproof, either, but I do not have proof of that so I'll take your word on it...

With Sedo they take control over the money and the property, and then when they have both they then give the property to the buyer and the money to the seller.

Escrow.com only takes the money and it only gives the money to the seller after they see that the property's (domain) whois is correct with the new owners information.

And IF the whois never switches over with the new owners info the buyer can make a claim and get their money back.
Now, use your imagination on what someone can do with the whois info once they have possession of a domain, you can put any info you want in there, including the wrong info. 8-X

 

[freedom30]

With Sedo they take control over the money and the property, and then when they have both they then give the property to the buyer and the money to the seller.

Escrow.com only takes the money and it only gives the money to the seller after they see that the property's (domain) whois is correct with the new owners information.

And IF the whois never switches over with the new owners info the buyer can make a claim and get their money back.
Now, use your imagination on what someone can do with the whois info once they have possession of a domain, you can put any info you want in there, including the wrong info. 8-X

...OK, just never had that occur.

If this is a legit DHS purchase, doubtful that the stink would be worth the small amount of money involved.

If legit, pretty sure the transaction will be safe and secire for the seller...

 

[alien51]

Now I'll wait and see if there's any reaction.
I'll also try and call this specific extension tomorrow or the next day.
I'll keep you guys updated!

The way i see it, i think you are more "star-struck", than being concerned about getting a legit sale.

Granting that you are from Israel, and somebody posted here earlier about lack of jurisdiction, perhaps you should have contacted the CIA instead. Or maybe Hillary Clinton's office at the State Department.

 

[zoomactive.com]

This was surely entertaining to read. Keep us posted .

 

[Kamikaze]

@alien51, wow man - that's a good one.

NOT.

If for you it's O.K for someone to impersonate a H.S person, be my guest.
It's a major crime and I would be glad to help them catch the one behind of it.
A domainer that's just getting these emails and not doing nothing is not so smart.

I would be glad, for sure, to find out it's a legit approach and get the 2.4K...

Anyways, guys - I'm planning on leaving it off for today (Sunday) and resuming my contacting-process (lol) tomorrow, on Monday.

I'll keep you all posted.

 

[alien51]

I never thought you had the heart of a cop.

But if you followed the suggestion to have the transaction done through SEDO, you might have known who the buyer is without bothering the FBI.

If he was legit who works for President Obama, i think he is bullying you to accept his payment with no questions asked.

 

[twomoon]

Nice read and case indeed. Keep us updated please.

Kamikaze, when you called them, you should say that you're from Israel and add that you're from Mossad
I guess you would have more results lol

 

[Kamikaze]

you should say that you're from Israel and add that you're from Mossad

keep it on the low, will ya'? :notme: