alert The fund can't be withdrawal from Epik.com via Masterbucks wallet

[enamebroker]

It happened on 23rd Aug 2022 and this matter lasted almost one month without any process. Masterbucks.com declined my fund withdrawal and disabled the button of fund withdrawal. And I contacted Epik.com and got no further action even if Rob Monster got involved in it for two weeks. All the time I was told in email by management review.

What is wrong with Epik.com? Do you think it is normal to disable fund withdrawal? How can I get back my fund from Epik.com? Thanks for your suggestion.

 

[NicTraders]

Still cashing in on this scam... Chris Ambler needs to tell more lies...

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They don't actually offer forever registrations anymore though. The max period I can see that they offer reg for is 10 years. I can't find anywhere on their website which says you can do longer. And there really can't be too many people searching for Epik Forever domains since anyone who owned one would have been burned.

 

[bmugford]

They don't actually offer forever registrations anymore though. The max period I can see that they offer reg for is 10 years. I can't find anywhere on their website which says you can do longer. And there really can't be too many people searching for Epik Forever domains since anyone who owned one would have been burned.

Did "new" Epik ever comment on the pre-existing "forever" registrations?

Do they continue to renew these, or did they screw those customers over just like all the others?

Who could have predicted this outcome...

 

[NicTraders]

Did "new" Epik ever comment on the pre-existing "forever" registrations?

Do they continue to renew these, or did they screw those customers over just like all the others?

Who could have predicted this outcome...

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That's a good point actually. I assumed they left them as a debt in old Epik and didn't honor them, but I don't actually recall now whether they made any statement about that? @epik

 

[Future Sensors]

There's one reference in this thread mentioning Forever Domains, by the other Epik account.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/th...terbucks-wallet.1284050/page-423#post-9111238

 

[Future Sensors]

This type of promotional language was used by Epik's DNProtect service.

"If you truly want to 'protect' the domain name and NOT lose it, then a combination of Epik's forever domain registration along with DNProtect's service for protecting your domain is the best option."

DNProtect now has an Afternic lander.

 

[carob]

Seems WordPress are operating the same scam...

https://domainnamewire.com/2025/02/12/wordpress-introduces-100-year-domain-registrations/

Article says:

That might have been a better bet a year ago before Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg went on a scorched earth campaign to destroy his company’s and his personal reputation.

As the article mentions, that is being offered by the company Automattic, not Wordpress.org.

Automattic is a separate profit-driven company created by WP founder Matt Mullenweg, and he is now in conflict with his own WP community and soon his dominance or even relevance may decrease, a lot, so trusting a sum of money to Automattic for 100 years would be a risky bet at best.

More info on the WP conflict: https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/14/wordpress_leader_matthew_mullenweg_exiles/

 

[bhartzer]

Still cashing in on this scam... Chris Ambler needs to tell more lies...

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Looks like it's just in the Google Ads, when you go to actually register a domain, they aren't offering Forever Domain registration. Only up to 10 years for .COM domains.

As I recall, it was previously around $329 for 'forever' registration.

I wonder if those who bought a forever domain if their domains have been renewed. I recall them being renewed until about 2030. Need to check the list...

 

[Future Sensors]

Need to check the list...

What list will you be checking, and in what capacity?

 

[bhartzer]

This type of promotional language was used by Epik's DNProtect service.

"If you truly want to 'protect' the domain name and NOT lose it, then a combination of Epik's forever domain registration along with DNProtect's service for protecting your domain is the best option."

DNProtect now has an Afternic lander.

As I recall, I wrote that (the part in quotes above). Forever domain registration WAS being offered at the time when DNProtect was in business. So it did actually make sense to take advantage of the forever registration and DNProtect's domain protection: at the time.

But since DNProtect is no longer in business, well, I all I can suggest is that you register your domain for 10 years in advance.
>> DNProtect now has an Afternic lander.
Yeah, there's a long, more involved story about that. Long story short, Epik's interim CEO shut DNProtect down without warning (despite having over 1 million users). Then, he sold the domain, someone bought it, and has offering it for sale for over about a year now.

 

[bhartzer]

What list will you be checking, and in what capacity?

A list of domains that were registered (at one time) as a part of the "forever registration".

 

[bhartzer]

They don't actually offer forever registrations anymore though. The max period I can see that they offer reg for is 10 years. I can't find anywhere on their website which says you can do longer. And there really can't be too many people searching for Epik Forever domains since anyone who owned one would have been burned.

What I suspect is happening here is that "epik forever domain" or that related keyword is still in their Google Ads campaigns somewhere. It could also be set up as an automatic insertion, where if someone searches for "epik domain" or "epik" then the whole keyword that they searched for is included automatically in the ad.

Either way, whoever's running the Google Ads should probably add "forever" as a negative keyword, as it's misleading.

Or if someone didn't like the ad they could always just report it (click the 3 dots and "report ad").

 

[jberryhill]

Looks like it's just in the Google Ads, when you go to actually register a domain, they aren't offering Forever Domain registration.

Oh, it's just false advertising. Good to know.

 

[NicTraders]

What I suspect is happening here is that "epik forever domain" or that related keyword is still in their Google Ads campaigns somewhere. It could also be set up as an automatic insertion, where if someone searches for "epik domain" or "epik" then the whole keyword that they searched for is included automatically in the ad.

Either way, whoever's running the Google Ads should probably add "forever" as a negative keyword, as it's misleading.

Or if someone didn't like the ad they could always just report it (click the 3 dots and "report ad").

When I searched the exact same term (immediately after reading the post) it didn't come up as a sponsored listing at all for me. So maybe it depends on Geography or something too.
In fact, the very first search result for that term was a thread in NP.

 

[bhartzer]

When I searched the exact same term (immediately after reading the post) it didn't come up as a sponsored listing at all for me. So maybe it depends on Geography or something too.
In fact, the very first search result for that term was a thread in NP.

...or maybe someone actually reported that ad to Google as being false and misleading or deceptive? So it was flagged.

 

[Gabriele]

It’s kinda boring lately. Any idea when the RICO lawsuit against the 'conspirators' will drop?

 

[jberryhill]

These parties "also concealed the existence of Mr. Lee's default judgment in CA"

That sounds a little far-fetched. Someone went to the door of his home. Gave the papers to a person who answered "yes" to being Rob Monster, and who also matched his physical description:

It looks more like the problem was his late-breaking realization that he wasn't going to be able to rely on claiming that he "Robert W. Monster" is not "Rob Monster" named in the lawsuit that was served on him.

So, could it have been an impostor? Rob was actually away somewhere, and someone matching his description was hidden in the bushes to show up at the front porch when the process server arrived to deliver the papers?

No, he decided to try to set aside the default judgment on the grounds that he is not "Rob Monster". The thing is, if he's really not "Rob Monster", then why is this "Robert W. Monster" guy showing up to set aside a judgment which he claims is not against him?

There seems to be quite a difference of views on the subject of whether "Robert W. Monster" had reason to believe that "Rob Monster" was being sued, and that "Robert W. Monster" might be held accountable for it... As noted in the opposition to his motion...

...

...and it goes on.

The judge denied Rob's motion, or Robert's motion, as having insufficient evidentiary support (i.e. none) to rebut the process server's declaration. It's not clear that he tried to challenge the process server's declaration, because it seems the thrust of his argument was that receiving papers to the effect that "Rob Monster" was being sued was not proper notice to him "Robert W. Monster" that he might be held accountable for a judgment against "Rob Monster."

 

[Gabriele]

 

[epik]

Happy Monday (is there really such a thing?). Apologies for a delayed response, as I just got back from my family vacation. I saw a 5-foot moray eel on a scuba dive, and my daughter has announced that I'm going to be a grandfather this year, so it was a good vacation.

With respect to "forever" domains, this is something that we discovered was on the books, along with "forever hosting" as we moved through Epik's accounts after the asset purchase. I recall my first reaction was, "are you serious?!"

We immediately turned off the ability to purchase both so we wouldn't sell any more. We then verified that all domains in this category had plenty of time on their registration, so there was no chance of any of them expiring. The vast majority of them were registered for the full ten years when created, before the sale. So to be clear, none have expired and none will any time soon.

With the hosting, there were very few of these, and with upgrades to the hosting services, we made offers to those who had the forever hosting to get better hosting tiers and credits for a longer time in order to wind down that program. 100% of those customers were pleased with the results.

Forever domains is going to be a bit tricker, as there are more than there were for hosting, and it's somewhat unclear what Rob Monster actually sold and the representations he made. We're working to figure this out and come up with a plan that works for everyone. While we do that, the domains are functional and in no danger of expiring, as I said.

Just one more thing about Monster that makes me shake my head. I hope to have more to say as soon as we work our way through these.

With respect to ads, we are running Google PPC ads. The way Google has pigeon-holed how they want you to run ads is with their dynamic search and using their AI.

When you do a Google search for Epik forever domains, Google thinks you'd be more likely to click an ad that said that. It's why if you've ever seen an ad that looks remarkably close to what you typed in, it surprises you. We have provided a negative keyword of "forever" so hopefully Google picks that up.

As always thanks for all the help cleaning up the Epik mess we bought. When you bring these things up, I can take them back to our teams. The future's bright, and we (and I) do value your input and support.

Christopher

 

[bmugford]

With respect to "forever" domains, this is something that we discovered was on the books, along with "forever hosting" as we moved through Epik's accounts after the asset purchase. I recall my first reaction was, "are you serious?!"

We immediately turned off the ability to purchase both so we wouldn't sell any more. We then verified that all domains in this category had plenty of time on their registration, so there was no chance of any of them expiring. The vast majority of them were registered for the full ten years when created, before the sale. So to be clear, none have expired and none will any time soon.

Forever domains is going to be a bit tricker, as there are more than there were for hosting, and it's somewhat unclear what Rob Monster actually sold and the representations he made. We're working to figure this out and come up with a plan that works for everyone. While we do that, the domains are functional and in no danger of expiring, as I said.

Just one more thing about Monster that makes me shake my head. I hope to have more to say as soon as we work our way through these.

Christopher

This was well known in the domain world.

It's not difficult to see what was promised. It was on Epik's old website, domain blogs, this forum, etc.

If you are spending millions to acquire a company's assets and accreditation, then it's on you to do proper due diligence.

The question is if you are committed to maintaining the obligations, not if the domains have expired. They clearly would not have had time to expire.

This is not Masterbucks. This is a contractual obligation directly related to the registrar business itself.

If you feel the need to take action against Rob Monster for not disclosing this, fine.

Outside that, you have an obligation to customers to honor these "forever domains".

Brad

 

[bmugford]

Here is the archived "Forever Domain" TOS, AKA the obligation you acquired.

https://web.archive.org/web/20210923175022/https://www.epik.com/forever-registration-agreement/

The User acknowledges that Epik may cancel the Forever Registration at any time for any reason, provided that Epik notifies the user via email and provided that the User receives a full refund of the price originally paid for the Forever Registration. Such cancellation shall release Epik from the obligation to renew the Forever Domain in the future and from any responsibility to pay or reimburse the User for future renewals or other costs. But cancellation of a Forever Registration, if said cancellation is not requested by the User or a consequence of alleged abuse or non-compliance by the User, shall leave intact the Forever Domain`s expiration date. In other words, such cancellation of the Forever Registration would result in the User receiving a domain renewal for the maximum period allowed by the TLD registry, paid at Epik`s expense; and this service would have a net cost of zero for the User.

So, all you need to do is come up with like $400 x however many "forever domains" there are.

Brad

 

[Gabriele]

Here is the archived "Forever Domain" TOS, AKA the obligation you acquired.

https://web.archive.org/web/20210923175022/https://www.epik.com/forever-registration-agreement/

The User acknowledges that Epik may cancel the Forever Registration at any time for any reason, provided that Epik notifies the user via email and provided that the User receives a full refund of the price originally paid for the Forever Registration. Such cancellation shall release Epik from the obligation to renew the Forever Domain in the future and from any responsibility to pay or reimburse the User for future renewals or other costs. But cancellation of a Forever Registration, if said cancellation is not requested by the User or a consequence of alleged abuse or non-compliance by the User, shall leave intact the Forever Domain`s expiration date. In other words, such cancellation of the Forever Registration would result in the User receiving a domain renewal for the maximum period allowed by the TLD registry, paid at Epik`s expense; and this service would have a net cost of zero for the User.

So, all you need to do is come up with like $400 x however many "forever domains" there are.

Brad

Let’s be honest, Epik’s Terms of Service have always been basically worthless. For example, between April 2023 and May 2023, they changed this clause in their general terms:

We may amend this Agreement at any time by emailing you directly or by posting the amended terms on the Site. Except as stated below, all amended terms shall automatically be effective at 12:01 am on the Effective Date, which in most cases will be no less than 30 days after the amended terms are initially posted on the Site or emailed to you. The posting date and effective date for this Agreement are noted at the bottom of this document.

To this:

EPIK MAY, IN ITS SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION, CHANGE OR MODIFY THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ANY OR ALL MATERIALS INCORPORATED HEREIN, AT ANY TIME, AND SUCH CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS SHALL BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON PUBLISHING TO THIS SITE. EPIK RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, CHANGE OR DISCONTINUE ANY ASPECT OF THIS SITE OR THE SERVICES OFFERED WITHOUT LIMITATION AT ANY TIME.

Without notifying anyone, of course. So basically, they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, and you just have to accept it.

 

[Igor Gabrielan]

I've already managed to sell .ai domains that Epik tried to steal for an amount many times greater than what they stole from me using the Masterbucks scam.
Moreover, they could steal .ai domains both directly and through auctions that they offered and for which they would provide Masterbucks.

 

[Gabriele]

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.wawd.339209/gov.uscourts.wawd.339209.16.0_1.pdf

 

[manojddfdd]

any update on masterbucks payout?

 

[Igor Gabrielan]

any update on masterbucks payout?

Trump ordered them to be confiscated into a strategic reserve.