Is this a scam?

[CRAZY K]

Just got this email--anyone think its a problem?

I have no idea--currently on holiday in China where scams are commonplace:eek:

Why would there be a dispute--I own the rights to the UK domain and have done so for many years.

I doubt Mr Justin Lin is an Asian Barn Dance /Line Dancing Cowboy;)

thanks

CRAZY K

=========================================
To whom it may concern: 2009-5-3

We are a domain name registration service company in Asia,

Last week we received a formal application submited by Justin Lin who wanted to use the keyword "callerdirect" to register the Internet Brand and with suffix such as .cn /.com.cn /.net.cn/.hk/ .asia/ domain names.

After our initial examination, we found that these domain names to be applied for registration are same as your domain name and trademark. We aren’t sure whether you have any relation with him. Because these domain names would produce possible dispute, now we have hold down his registration, but if we do not get your company’s an reply in the next 5 working days, we will approve his company's application

In order to handle this issue better, Please contact us by Fax ,Telephone or Email as soon as possible.



Yours sincerely



margaret

Checking Department

Tel: 86 513 8532 2060
Fax: 86 513 8532 2065
Email:[email protected]
Website: www.ntwifinetwork.com

Mail No.:1489106

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Ignore it and delete.

[Spirits High]

Alan,

Defo SCAM , just googled the email address and there's loads and loads about it.

http://unhingednotion.com/?p=133


As Daz said "Delete and ignore"

[rob1963]

Ignore it and delete.


Alan,

Defo SCAM , just googled the email address and there's loads and loads about it.

http://unhingednotion.com/?p=133


As Daz said "Delete and ignore"

Agreed.

They say "We are a domain name registration service company in Asia", so it's strange that their website has an American (.com) address.

[Jiggles]

.com is a generic TLD. Not specified to a country.

[Marc J]

99.99% of the time these are a scam. Probably 100% but you never know...

Why? Because most domain extensions operate on a "first come, first served" basis. If someone wanted to register yourdomain.xxx the chances are that they could as long as it isn't already registered. They certainly don't have to ask you if it's OK to do so, and the agent / registrar has no obligation to do so either.

In the case of new domain extensions (for example the recent .eu and .asia launches) there is a "sunrise" period where you can apply for domains only if you own the trademark / have the company name etc. etc. (rules are different for each). This period will last for say, 6 months, then the "landrush" period begins when anyone can register any domain on a first come, first served basis.

Basically, they want you to register the domains (.hk, .cn, .com.cn etc. etc.) instead of their fictional customer, hopefully using them as the agent with their (usually) inflated prices.

[CRAZY K]

99.99% of the time these are a scam. Probably 100% but you never know...

Why? Because most domain extensions operate on a "first come, first served" basis. If someone wanted to register yourdomain.xxx the chances are that they could as long as it isn't already registered. They certainly don't have to ask you if it's OK to do so, and the agent / registrar has no obligation to do so either.

In the case of new domain extensions (for example the recent .eu and .asia launches) there is a "sunrise" period where you can apply for domains only if you own the trademark / have the company name etc. etc. (rules are different for each). This period will last for say, 6 months, then the "landrush" period begins when anyone can register any domain on a first come, first served basis.

Thanks Marc, thats more or less what a friend who operates a business in Thailand has said.

Time for the delete button,

thanks guys,

CRAZY K

[DJMaxG]

Margaret

Checking Department

Tel: 86 513 8532 2060
Fax: 86 513 8532 2065
Email:[email protected]
Website: www.ntwifinetwork.com

Mail No.:1489106

The letter is clearly from a Foreign destination, possibly China as you say.
I would report it, and send a copy to Nominet, and possibly U.K Trading Standards.

http://www.nominet.org.uk/

This may be a Scam, but it is not worth worrying about, probably just Chain Mail.

[Tom]

Just google the phone number. - http://www.google.co.uk/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=86+513+8532+2060&meta=&btnG=Google+Search

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Alternatively, stop wasting your time and just delete it....

[DazzyD]

Yes it's a scam.

The scam is known on many scam-aware sites and it's not new.

What happens is that you reply to their email and then they demand a fee to "protect" your domain name from others who "try to register it" in Asia.

Handy thing, that delete button!

[DazzyD]

99.99% of the time these are a scam. Probably 100% but you never know...

Basically, they want you to register the domains (.hk, .cn, .com.cn etc. etc.) instead of their fictional customer, hopefully using them as the agent with their (usually) inflated prices.

I've had the email myself and anyone who knows me knows I'm always up on scams. I give others advice on how to spot scams and what to do about them (usually nothing at all!). So it is 100% a scam.

However, the "company" involved isn't a registrar at all and the email has no links to any domain registration company in Asia so they are not trying to get you to re-register with them. As I said, when you reply you get emails that put you in fear that someone could steal your domain name (highly unlikely) and that they can protect it for a fee (they can't - they take your money for doing nothing). It's a protection racket, really.

[Marc J]

However, the "company" involved isn't a registrar at all and the email has no links to any domain registration company in Asia so they are not trying to get you to re-register with them. As I said, when you reply you get emails that put you in fear that someone could steal your domain name (highly unlikely) and that they can protect it for a fee (they can't - they take your money for doing nothing). It's a protection racket, really.

I too have had the emails....and regularly get clients phoning me or forwarding them on. The company (or "pretend" company) is usually passing themself off as a registrar or agent - in this case the link in the OP is certainly made to look like that although the application form is a Word DOC which I didn't open. It's a scam so highly unlikely that they actually are a certified registrar - maybe I should have made that clearer in my post - but their intention is the same, to scam money out of you.

[DazzyD]

Ok then, Marc. My apologies.

I thought that you were suggesting that these emails were from a proper registrar but use aggressive marketing tactics to get you to register with them at higher prices. Also when you said it was "probably" a scam I thought that maybe you hadn't come across it before. Now, having re-read your post I think that you meant these scams in general.

[Marc J]

I make a point of never saying 100%, that's all ;)