New(?) Domain Scam by Avira Group, w7 Media, Lucas Boucher

[abc3200]

Has anybody been contacted by Avira Group, w7 Media, or Lucas Boucher regarding ongoing auctions at Go Daddy?

I received an email from Lucas Boucher ([email protected]) regarding a domain similar to one I already owned. The email claimed that they had received an offer on one of their domains and they were contacting people who they thought might want to make a better offer.

That all seems reasonable, but the name was in an expired auction at Go Daddy when I was contacted. And the WhoIs did not match the person who contacted me.

Lucas Boucher, according to LinkedIn, appears to be associated with W7 Media.

Basically, my question is whether Lucas Boucher, Avira Group, and W7 Media are legitimate? Does anybody have any experience dealing with them?

 

[sanfran]

It's a std pitch.
Don't get excited

 

[abc3200]

What do you mean by "standard pitch?" Claiming to own something one does not own seems to be fraudulent unless I'm misunderstanding something.

 

[lincolndsp]

deleted

 

[Kate]

Sounds like a person trying to sell you a domain that they don't own, if I read this right.

 

[abc3200]

Sounds like a person trying to sell you a domain that they don't own, if I read this right.

I think that is probably right. But how is it possible to sell something you don't own?

 

[Kate]

Well, I guess the scheme is along these lines: if you show interest and agree to pay a certain price, the other party will buy it at the expired auctions (in the absence of competition, that could mean <$20), then sell it to you. And they pocket the difference.

The trick can work with clueless buyers who don't bother to check the domain or do due diligence.

There is almost zero risk to them, because they have no money tied up in inventory.

In my view, that is clearly unethical because they don't own the name, therefore they are not in a position to negotiate a sale.
Yes, it is fraudulent.


A similar story happened to me a few months back:
http://www.namepros.com/742232-emails-from-domainers-selling-crap-names-2.html#post4247775

Somebody trying to sell unregistered domains

 

[GiftedDomains]

This would only be legitimate if they clearly mention that they don't own the domain, but offer a Service for people who want a specific domain, but don't have a clue what to do, or don't have time to go through hassle of auctions, etc. (i.e. non domainers, people with zero knowledge, etc.). But the way all these spammers do it is simply deceptive.

 

[abc3200]

This would only be legitimate if they clearly mention that they don't own the domain, but offer a Service for people who want a specific domain, but don't have a clue what to do, or don't have time to go through hassle of auctions, etc. (i.e. non domainers, people with zero knowledge, etc.). But the way all these spammers do it is simply deceptive.

Yes, as a service it is potentially ok. But claiming to own a name you don't own is unethical at the very least. In fact, it seems criminally fraudulent to me.

 

[alien51]

This would only be legitimate if they clearly mention that they don't own the domain, but offer a Service for people who want a specific domain, but don't have a clue what to do, or don't have time to go through hassle of auctions, etc. (i.e. non domainers, people with zero knowledge, etc.).

In short, a broker.

 

[abc3200]

Even as a broker, though, it seems unethical to me that the broker would be exploiting the buyer's stupidity. Go Daddy auctions are open to anybody so there is no real need for a broker.

In any case, the email I received claimed ownership of the name. They were not openly acting as a broker.

 

[alien51]

Hard times. Need to make money.

 

[RazorNF]

I get these all the time. To be honest, i really don't mind these kinds of emails.

I never reply to them, but a few times I've actually gone and bought/backordered the domains myself. And I would have missed them had I not been notified...

 

[abc3200]

Hard times. Need to make money.

I'm sorry but that does not justify fraud and cheating.

 

[lincolndsp]

i myself had cases after winning some domains at "end-user" prices and then had end-users contact me alerted by similar people but after losing the auctions those types had ceased comm with the end-users so end-users contacted me. result - >> jacked up prices, lost of trust by end-users-> more bad name for our industry, less sales

 

[alien51]

I'm sorry but that does not justify fraud and cheating.

I never said it was justified. But it should not be that shocking to you why these stuffs exist.

The only thing that shocks me these days, are WIPO judges who make Wall-Of-Shame decisions on domain disputes.

 

[abc3200]

By the way, the email that I was sent is below. Thanks to informative emails I've received since I posted this here, I've learned that there is another person or another email address in addition to Boucher doing the same thing. Cameron Gray from the Avira Group ([email protected]) is sending the same type of email.

I guess the lesson is that if you receive an email from Avira Group, the name is probably in an auction and they are attempting to front run you.

Hello,


We recently received an offer for our domain name XXXXXXX.com and are currently reaching out to a few firms, with a similar name or exact match, to see if there is any further interest in acquiring this higher quality, more memorable, brandable domain name before we sell it.


Please let us know at your earliest if you would like to make an offer as well.


Regards,


Lucas Boucher
Avira Group
Sales Associate
[email protected]
+1 (703) 574 0222

 

[GiftedDomains]

Even as a broker, though, it seems unethical to me that the broker would be exploiting the buyer's stupidity. Go Daddy auctions are open to anybody so there is no real need for a broker.

You overestimate the knowledge of endusers about domains, domaining, auctions, etc. Many of them don't even know that there ARE auctions for domains at all! And many don't want or don't have the time for these bidding games in auctions. So, yes this specific email claiming ownership is spam, but if you can offer a service to endusers to get a name for them and do all the bidding,watching, etc. work for them and if they agree to pay for that, than thats legitimate and imo no problem.

 

[abc3200]

You overestimate the knowledge of endusers about domains, domaining, auctions, etc. Many of them don't even know that there ARE auctions for domains at all! And many don't want or don't have the time for these bidding games in auctions. So, yes this specific email claiming ownership is spam, but if you can offer a service to endusers to get a name for them and do all the bidding,watching, etc. work for them and if they agree to pay for that, than thats legitimate and imo no problem.

I agree, as long as the fact that a service is being offered is clear. However, claiming to own something you don't is fraudulent and the auction houses should do something about it.

 

[rajkosto]

Hi
i just got a similar email from

*Mary Knolls*
Globix Media

mknolls at globixmedia dot com

that domain doesn have web presence, but, they seemed to forget to change the URL it points to, and it pointed to mjknolls at aviragroup dot com
which is how i got to this thread

the interesting thing is that they offered me a domain they clearly don't own and which isn't on an auciton or expiring soon (it was owned by MarkMonitor brand protection for a HUGE company, that isn't going to just let it go to anyone), so this thing must be automated (i have the same domain just with a different tld, not with com)

so yeah, beware of globix media as well.