New Scam - "Check domain" ?

[cjcjcj]

Received this email:

To Whom It May Concern:

I noticed your domain listed for sale a while ago. I did not have time and money at that time.

But now I'm ready to proceed. In other words, I need to know the price for your domain name.

Hope you have not sold it yet. If you name has not been not sold, please drop me your price.

I also must be sure that your domain name has no trademark conflicts and you are the real owner.

Thank you for attention to this matter. I believe we can do business.

Kindest Regards,

(WITHELD)
I replied and informed him of a price and that I would not pay for an appriasal (predicting what was coming next).

I then got this reply:
Thank you for giving me your quote. I think we should use escrow.com. They provide secure transactions. It'll be safe for both of us.

There is another important issue for me. Some of my friends lost money after buying stolen names. Others had problems with trademarks. So I must be sure you are the real owner and your domain name has no trademark conflicts.

This is a serious problem for the whole domain industry. You can read about the problem at
http://www.stopscum.com/archives/i_just_stole_your_domain_name_it_was_easy.html
http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/ga/msg02020.html
More information about trademark conflicts can be found at
http://www.patents.com/dno.htm

I hope now you understand why I need to verify this information before we go further.

My friends recommended me a reliable service we could use to verify your domain name.
URL of this service - http://www.softforces.com/checkdomain.htm

These guys were recommended as Internet security professionals. Looks liek this service is unique because I've not found anything similar in the Internet. After we check your domain name we'll proceed with escrow.com or other similar service.

This "check domain" service allows to split the fees 50% / 50% between buyer and seller. I thinks it's honest.

I've already ordered my part and paid $39 fee. I specified your email address so you must receive a confirmation from them shortly. You should submit your information and they will check your domain name and the domain owner.

They will email us the results within 1-2 business days.

Kindest Regards,

 

[tsj5j]

So...?

Did they take your domain?

Please give details.

 

[Shorty]

This does sound like a scam to me. Don't do it. (Plus, those emails are blatently automated...)

 

[tsj5j]

So you have not fallen for it yet?

Better not.

Search for another buyer, will do you good.

 

[slaydragon]

thats definiitely a scam to me...dun ever respond..

 

[Zeeble]

Softforces.com is owned by the SAME people who were doing the domain appraisal scam. THAT IS A FACT.

 

[vip-ip]

Anything that begs for money without guarantees is a scam

 

[rome2ng]

man, what a cheat . how can they do this.

maybe it's the next nigeria scam or net fraud ?

 

[stscac]

I would only trust a service by Sedo, Afternic, NamePros, or escrow.com.

Tell him/her that the services provided by these companies are the only ones that you will accept.

-Steve

 

[cjcjcj]

There was no way I would have done this.
Just thought I'd post it up to let people know and avoid it in the future as it's a new one as far as I know!

 

[cache]

thanks for your info. Very useful.

There was no way I would have done this.
Just thought I'd post it up to let people know and avoid it in the future as it's a new one as far as I know!

 

[scrsteven]

SCAM. same general wording as all the others...

 

[redz]

SCAM written all over it

 

[Michelle]

Where there is money there will always be new scams :td:

 

[SimpleDomaining]

Scaaaaaaaaaaaam.

 

[techahben]

Thanks.

I wouldn't have suspected anything, being newbie it all sounded so legitimate.