Scam now mentions Sedo — Domain appraisal
If you get one of these emails, just delete it.
Heads up — the ever-evolving domain name appraisal scam now tries to draw on the reputation of Sedo.
The latest iterations of the scam starts with an email sent through (or apparently sent through) GoDaddy’s fresh Whois contact system. Once the domain name owner responds, the fake domain buyer broker demands that the person purchase an appraisal ahead of they send funds for the domain name. It’s a spin on many classic scams in which people promise to send money to someone, but need them to send a modest verification payment to them first.
A DNW reader received one such email that claims it’s a Sedo certified offer. It’s a bit odd that the scammers would name Sedo since Sedo offers its own domain appraisals. And an astute observer will note that a) Sedo and GoDaddy are not partners and b) Sedo is not a retail domain name registrar.
But these emails are not aimed at astute observers who know who all of the domain name firms are.
Here’s the latest follow up email:
From: <support@authorize-incorporated .net>
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2020, 19:27
Subject: RE: Someone would like to contact you regarding your domain.
To:
Hello!
Our offer has been finally verified by SEDO so we can write each other direct now. Since it’s a SEDO certified offer you will be protected during the transaction.
My name is Elizabeth Kristiansen. I work as a broker of International merchants in a merchant provider firm – Authorize Inc.(Norwegian Subsidiary). We help our VIP clients to establish a business online (secure domain, develop a web site and establish our payment system). I will help you to finish the sale of your domain.
I represent a buyer – a firm from Bergen. They want to use it to drive more traffic to their fresh web project. Commission of our firm is only six percent. It’s paid when you get the money.
They will pay you via the Escrow / Swiss Escrow service. You can be paid via wire, Paypal, check or any other method you prefer.
The buyer offers $60,000 usd.
Do you have a law compliance certificate for Norway? It’s required by his registrar SEDO (partner of GoDaddy) to protect the buyer.
The final sale price will depend on the certificate ($60,000 minimum – if it comes higher they will pay more).
If you don’t have the certificate it’s not a problem. You can order it online.
The certification must be from a source authorized by SEDO and contains a copy in Norwegian.
The certification includes the following:
1. Independent valuation of the market price. It will show your domain name is not overpriced. On the other hand if the valuation comes higher, he will increase the price accordingly. In the domain name industry, there are many appraisal tools that people use to estimate the value of a domain name. My client does not want to risk and doesn’t accept services that use scripts. If you are unsure regarding some service feel free to ask me.
2. TM and law compliance verification. It proves your domain has no trademark problems. He would like this verification to be included in the appraisal note. It’s not a problem since some firms include the TM verification for free.
3. Copy in Norwegian.
The process is very easy:
1. Go to the certificate agency site and order a certificate. Just submit your domains and let them know you have a buyer with $XX,XXX offer. It will help you to get a better valuation.
If your domain is worth at least $10000, they will send you the payment instructions. If it’s not possible, they won’t send you the instructions. This way you will not lose anything. It’s very convenient and gives you the full protection. Other services charge you upfront even if your domain is not worth spending the appraisal fee, so I don’t recommend them.
2. Send the certificate to me and we will start the sale process. As soon as the buyer receives your certificate they will buy your domain.
If you are fresh to the certification process, I can help you with the step by step instructions.
To read the review you must have Telegram Messenger installed on your smartphone. To communicate with me online please use Telegram messenger. Here is the invitation link to our Domain Sale Group: https:// t.me/ dnsales
Add me ( @ ElizaSupport ) to your contacts and we will be able to chat in Telegram. If you don’t have Telegram you may install it on your smartphone from Google Play or AppStore.
One of my sellers by now sold to this buyer from Oslo. You may read his review at https://t.me/dnsales/1754 Feel free to contact him.
Please respond ASAP. No risk for you to proceed since this is a certified by SEDO domain offer with full proof of funds. If you send the certificate the buyer will have to pay you the same day.
Elizabeth Kristiansen
Vice President
Investor Relations
Drammensveien 149
0277
Oslo, Norway
Authorize Inc. (Norwegian Subsidiary)
