.tv I don't understand this .tv eBay auction

[treebytheriver]

Obviously a scam, but what is he attempting here?

(warning, cheesy 70's photo on the listing)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Premium-Novelty-Domain-Sp-rts-tv_W0QQitemZ180290137791QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180290137791&_trkparms=72%3A1205|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1307&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[weblord]

25bucks?! i bet it's not his/her domain.

 

[Sabre]

It's the IDN version, so "xn--sprts-sce.tv".

 

[weblord]

now i see, thanks for the headsup, i thought seller is selling out of bankruptcy.

It's the IDN version, so "xn--sprts-sce.tv".

 

[michaeldotcom]

This is the usual IDN scam.

The domain for sale is actually not sports.tv (in ASCII characters).

But it's xn--sprts-sce.tv. Those are different characters but which look the same as sports.tv if you type them in your browser.

Several domainers are trying to take advantage of the confusing nature of some IDNs in similar scams, so you have to be careful and know exactly what you're buying.

IDNs can be a nice thing for people using other languages and other character sets, but they can also be very confusing in the hands of scammers.

In a similar way, you can see plenty of domains for sale like büsiness.com, bûsiness.com, bùsiness.com, etc. Those are IDNs as well and are just about trying to take advantage of naive buyers.

I hope that companies like Sedo, eBay and other auction houses will take action to prevent such scams in the future.

 

[treebytheriver]

Ah, thanks for the explanation! I feel sorry for the poor victim that purchases it.

 

[GoneWalkabout]

Scam - yes

And they should be ashamed and shot - or shot and shamed (you work out which!)

But don't have a go at the pic. It's actually Will Ferrell and Heidi Klum

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/fame...d-heidi-klum-and-will-ferrell-photoshoot.aspx

 

[Pichichi]

wich is the IDN character? o?