It's Scamming Time at Flippa! Enjoy...

[webm]

Is it really this much easy to scam and get paid on Flippa? Simply register a domain, stick some templates, throw any made up revenue figures and voila, money flows in. I guess, flippa needs to come with better verification methods as just phone verification doesn't seem enough (Especially in countries like India, where new phone numbers and sim cards get sold for like 25 cents each).

Recently, I busted a scamming attempt at Flippa just a few days ago at https://flippa.com/3509618-making-2...tenance-no-reserve-low-rank-low-bin-potential and got the seller banned despite his hard efforts deleting the my comments.

Now, he seems to be back again with the listing https://flippa.com/3606089-2-500-us...money-back-70k-site-value-90k-rank-no-reserve to trap another poor soul in his scam.

A lot of red flags but major one (And the most hilarious too) that on the earth he is claiming revenue way back from October 2014 when the domain itself is registered in December 2014 :P
But I guess, the buyers who bid clueless are equally guilty to encourage such scammers without even having a quick comparison between revenue and registration date.

Now the reasons I feel this is the same user as MartK:
1. Exact same description
2. Same comments format and revenue figures
3. Same country (India) - I guess, an IP address verification would further confirm it.
4. Same way of scamming
5. There was another user with those same description and funny enough, with this same site, who is already banned https://flippa.com/3788387-2-400-us...money-back-70k-site-value-90k-rank-no-reserve

It would have been a bit interesting if he would be atleast a little more sophisticated like using and old domain, and using something which is not already listed previously on Flippa under a banned ID, and writing new description. But the fact that even such clear scamming auctions get passed from Flippa - somewhat shows incompetency at Flippa's level. Last time itself, when I reported the auction - it took them long enough to ban the user. By the time he was already paid.

@FlippaDomains - any thoughts?

 

[FlippaDomains]

The auction in question has been suspended. Our Websites Team is working to ensure these are kicked off the marketplace altogether, but bringing attention and reporting them to us if you find them is the first step (in the instance we do not see them first).

 

[Archangel]

This is pretty much the same argument with Flippa, BIDO, SEDO, Afternic, NP, eBay etc etc etc. Surely you have a point in singling out Flippa. So, what is it?

 

[webm]

This is pretty much the same argument with Flippa, BIDO, SEDO, Afternic, NP, eBay etc etc etc. Surely you have a point in singling out Flippa. So, what is it?

There was no such "Point" per say in the manner you said. The attempt was to bring this to the attention of the community here (including kevin) so that people who bid blindly without even looking at the basic data just by putting 100% trust in Flippa that "If it's Flippa, everything's fine" mode.

The last time I reported an auction - action was taken way after the domain was sold - classic example of cops reaching after the crime being happened. Rest, I do have complete faith in Kevin and his platform. Haven't really worked with other "Revenue Based Sale" auction platforms as you mentioned, so really not in the position to comment on them.

 

[Archangel]

ppl need to look better at the things they bid on. Best anyone can do

 

[NameOmnia]

Is it really this much easy to scam and get paid on Flippa? Simply register a domain, stick some templates, throw any made up revenue figures and voila, money flows in. I guess, flippa needs to come with better verification methods as just phone verification doesn't seem enough (Especially in countries like India, where new phone numbers and sim cards get sold for like 25 cents each).

Recently, I busted a scamming attempt at Flippa just a few days ago at https://flippa.com/3509618-making-2...tenance-no-reserve-low-rank-low-bin-potential and got the seller banned despite his hard efforts deleting the my comments.

Now, he seems to be back again with the listing https://flippa.com/3606089-2-500-us...money-back-70k-site-value-90k-rank-no-reserve to trap another poor soul in his scam.

A lot of red flags but major one (And the most hilarious too) that on the earth he is claiming revenue way back from October 2014 when the domain itself is registered in December 2014 :P
But I guess, the buyers who bid clueless are equally guilty to encourage such scammers without even having a quick comparison between revenue and registration date.

Now the reasons I feel this is the same user as MartK:
1. Exact same description
2. Same comments format and revenue figures
3. Same country (India) - I guess, an IP address verification would further confirm it.
4. Same way of scamming
5. There was another user with those same description and funny enough, with this same site, who is already banned https://flippa.com/3788387-2-400-us...money-back-70k-site-value-90k-rank-no-reserve

It would have been a bit interesting if he would be atleast a little more sophisticated like using and old domain, and using something which is not already listed previously on Flippa under a banned ID, and writing new description. But the fact that even such clear scamming auctions get passed from Flippa - somewhat shows incompetency at Flippa's level. Last time itself, when I reported the auction - it took them long enough to ban the user. By the time he was already paid.

@FlippaDomains - any thoughts?

Careful...Flippa seems to be the only " name " you can't talk about here on NP.
Some " pros " will jump to your throat.

 

[thekiller]

This is pretty much the same argument with Flippa, BIDO, SEDO, Afternic, NP, eBay etc etc etc. Surely you have a point in singling out Flippa. So, what is it?

Problems exits everywhere.

SEDO also do not seems to have a good verification system. I have been member of sedo for 2 year and I have listed a domain on sedo, few days after I received an email that my domain is sold. After two days I couldn't login. When I asked support they simply replied that you account was blocked due to security concerns. lol. And they haven't re opened my account even after my 5 support emails.

Instead of checking buyer, they blocked the account of seller. What a shame.

 

[Archangel]

Very true. Seems Flippa is the only platform ppl here wanna bash. Maybe I can start something:

Yeah, I heard that BIDO...

Careful...Flippa seems to be the only " name " you can't talk about here on NP.
Some " pros " will jump to your throat.

 

[forge]

Kudos to OP for taking action to expose scumbags and fraudsters. Jeers to those calling you out on it, for whatever stupid or petty reasons.

 

[NameOmnia]

That is not really true; there are daily threads about how crappy Gd is, Moniker is.
There is a bit of everything about BB, NR, BR.
Sedo has been bashed, Afternic too.....but when it comes to Flippa it seems no one is allowed to say anything about.

Very true. Seems Flippa is the only platform ppl here wanna bash. Maybe I can start something:

Yeah, I heard that BIDO...

I agree Forge

Kudos to OP for taking action to expose scumbags and fraudsters. Jeers to those calling you out on it, for whatever stupid or petty reasons.

 

[jideofor]

It is becoming very annoying to me the way people attack flippa. Is this a conspiracy to bring them down or what? For goodness sake, flippa is operated by humans and humans are prone to errors, the company is inundated with listings. If you find inconsistency or disparity, inform THEM FIRST instead creating threads up and down.

it is easier to point fingers when you are not in the arena.
You guys should get a life please...

 

[webm]

It is becoming very annoying to me the way people attack flippa. Is this a conspiracy to bring them down or what? For goodness sake, flippa is operated by humans and humans are prone to errors, the company is inundated with listings. If you find inconsistency or disparity, inform THEM FIRST instead creating threads up and down.

it is easier to point fingers when you are not in the arena.
You guys should get a life please...

As mentioned earlier too, the motive of the thread was not to BASH Flippa but instead, it was satire on the scammers and poachers lurking there always wanting to hunt down poor clueless pooches. I never for once, said that Flippa is encouraging or engaged in fraudulent activities (As some other people are doing in the GLITTERING thread) - I just wanted to expose the scammers that are exploiting some loopholes or verification techniques. So this was rather a constructive set of suggestions for Flippa about tightening their verification process and/or look at the reported auctions in a rather short timeframe - before it's too late and the seller already looted some poor joe

Hope that clears the smoke.

 

[Archangel]

I recall when BIDO came out. It was en vogue to bash them. Flippa isn't the only thing being bashed these days, but they are currently in the spotlight. I am in no way affiliated with them, but I really must say the Flippa-bashing is old. It'll subside eventually

 

[FlippaDomains]

As mentioned earlier too, the motive of the thread was not to BASH Flippa but instead, it was satire on the scammers and poachers lurking there always wanting to hunt down poor clueless pooches. I never for once, said that Flippa is encouraging or engaged in fraudulent activities (As some other people are doing in the GLITTERING thread) - I just wanted to expose the scammers that are exploiting some loopholes or verification techniques. So this was rather a constructive set of suggestions for Flippa about tightening their verification process and/or look at the reported auctions in a rather short timeframe - before it's too late and the seller already looted some poor joe

Hope that clears the smoke.

So long as I am able to communicate with you all on behalf of the Domains unit at Flippa (though I'm not always able to speak for the websites' side of things; albeit, I can get my team to step in to assist), I will always be open to constructive criticisms, feedback, feature requests and just plain comments about our platform. At the end of the day, it's what makes us better, stronger and more usable!

@webm , I understand what you're frustrated about, and appreciate bringing it up. Our team kicks ass in taking down things like this, but we don't *always* find them in time. Any input from our members as such is always welcome and appreciated...

 

[biggie]

I don't see it as bashing, if a user see's fraud, shill bidding or scamming

and that goes for ANY entity that will and can take your money.

especially if the post helps flip get better, then it's beneficial for all

imo....

 

[webm]

So, it seems that stubborn scammers at Flippa never turn back and always make a comeback with another blow.

Today's recent example is https://flippa.com/3805708-60k-alexa-2800-revenue-mnth-fast-growing-cash-cow-fast-sell-low-bin

The seller, seems to be the same as ones I reported in this thread previously - going by his auction descriptions scamming tactic. It seems I've now started to understand this particular scammer's way of working more than himself. A site, that is registered in Nov. 2014 itself - is claiming revenue proof all the way from July. Funny, @FlippaDomains - isn't it?

I've reported the auction to Flippa team. The saddest thing is, that poor users always get trapped in this. The auction, surprisingly, got bids - some of them from regular buyers too. It bugs me, how a sucker is born every minute. I just wish the report sees the action before the sale completion so that we can save one more victim before the crime.

 

[FlippaDomains]

Funny, @FlippaDomains - isn't it?

No, not funny.

I've suspended it pending the Websites Manager's investigation. Sometimes the age of the domain can be reported wrong, but if that gauge is accurate, then there's definitely something wrong...Standby.

 

[Mr.Natwarlal]

(Especially in countries like India, where new phone numbers and sim cards get sold for like 25 cents each).

In my city it is issued for free.. :p

@FlippaDomains

Yes, a concrete verification is must, I will suggest verification like WeSellDoges dot com where they ask for ID proof in certain levels to deal in amounts slabs and they have steps of verification. each step gives additional authority to deal above certain amount slab.

I am aware that it will not solve the problem by 100% but at least overall percentage of scamers will decrease.

 

[FlippaDomains]

In my city it is issued for free.. :P

@FlippaDomains

Yes, a concrete verification is must, I will suggest verification like WeSellDoges dot com where they ask for ID proof in certain levels to deal in amounts slabs and they have steps of verification. each step gives additional authority to deal above certain amount slab.

I am aware that it will not solve the problem by 100% but at least overall percentage of scamers will decrease.

Thanks, @Mr.Natwarlal ~
Agreed, and just one of the implementations we're looking at.

 

[Michelle]

In no way connected to flippa but would just like to say..

Sadly where there is money there will always be someone somewhere trying to manipulate the system. I know by my assistance here that forum owners/moderators/helpers etc really do try and make places as safe as possible but there will always be new ways to get around systems or slip though. I can only say.. on the whole (and yes there are exceptions to dodgy site owners also,) we do care about scams and the like.

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