Domain name scam

[Dave R Smith]

Had an email in my 'spam' folder today, so default software thinks its dodgy for a start.
The text is below.
The last time this happened, several years ago, it was a UK telephone number, which I called, used strong language regarding my thoughts and never heard from them again.

I believe a genuine domain registrar may send a similar letter, but I am 99% confident this is a scam. I won't be replying, but I'm curious if anyone else has received a similar email.

Just found this, which confirms:
http://blog.sinohosting.net/beware-o...n-names-fraud/

================================================== =====
Dear aztecvideo Team,

Good day to you

We received a formal application from Netlon Company are applying to register " aztecvideo " as their website and internet brand name in European, American and Asian area on July 2th 2009. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Netlon Company has no trade mark nor patent even similar to that word. Hence we need you confirmation for two things,

First of all, whether this alleged Netlon Company is your business partner or distributor in business world.

Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains and internet keyword.

(.eu/.asia/.cn/.com.cn/.com etc)

This is a letter for confirmation. If we haven't receive your reply. We will automatically confirm application from Netlon Company after this audit procedure.

Yours Faithfully,
Robin
Registration Commissioner
China Anti-Cybersquatting Organization
'Tel: +00852 8135 9416
Web: www.mwworg.cn

'Tel: +00852 8135 9416

Web: www.mwworg.cn

[mooblie]

Yup, HeadSpin had the same scam. No doubt if you follow up as they hope, they'll shortly ask for money to "secure your domain name".

[robo]

I just take it as read that anything starting with the words 'good day to you' is a scam.

robo

[Gavin Gration]

Signed by "Robin". Would his second name be Ba$?@&d?

[Pete Allen]

Yea, had the same one several times.

[Dave R Smith]

Thanks Mooblie.

Originally Posted by Gavin Gration

Signed by "Robin". Would his second name be Ba$?@&d?

Excelent. Has brother: Thee-vin and Sister Lie-in.

Robo.
I have like thoughts that callers with that opening are 'cold selling' not buying.
Yesterday I had 'INT'L' call, to which I answer David Smith, wait for several seconds, is that 'Mr Smith'.
He called me so I would expect him to listen to waht I said - though I know it's their 'automatic lets annoy customers' phone system that makes me wait, while the call is allocated their end.
Said he was calling on behalf of BT, so I asked, what company he was.
He said BT.
I said, 'if you are calling on behalf of BT, then you are not BT' at which point he said he was in Bangalore.

I explained I would never buy from a cold caller and that I use 100 products and services a day, for which there are over 100 suppliers for each. If we all cold called, that would 10,000 calls being received.

..Yes..Cold callers do bug me (pun not intended).

[RayL]

During business hours I answer "Good morning/afternoon, Intec Services". If the cold caller then asks for me, I reply "Who's calling, please?" which tends to wrong-foot them because they like to know they've got the right person before they enter into their speil. When Abdul or Raj or whoever give their name I slip in quick with "Who do you work for?". As their reply leaves their lips I say "Ah, we're fine for that, thank you" and put the phone down.

The company that is cold-calling will have bought a list. My aim is to destroy the credibility of that list.

Ray L

[mooblie]

Since we registered with the Telephone Preference Service a few years ago, the frequency of such calls has dropped significantly.

Registration with TPS also gives you something of a deterrent/threat you can use, and a way to fight back against the callers:

When we do get such a call and say we're registered with TPS, so they're committing an offence by calling (and would they give me their registered company name and office address?); it tends to get an immediate hang-up on their part.

Again, like Ray, it (hopefully) undermines the list's credibility.

[Dave R Smith]

Martin.
Thank-you for the link to TPS. Now registered (using residential option).
I hadn't registered before in case it may exclude a benefit from the business point of view.
I can't think of any exceptions where I may miss out though.
Ray.
I agree with your efforts to deter this marketing technique.

[branny]

This ploy was used in the early days of internet marketing and probably snared many an unwary website owner.
Like mooblie we registered a few years ago with tps, both for fax and tel marketing. It has worked, except for overseas callers who appear to be excempt.