Day +912 : I am a target of internet domain name scam

I am fine today.

I received an email from a guy (who knows may be a girl) called Anthony Chen that informed me that someone in China is trying to register for esteemsoft.cn, esteemsoft.com.cn etc. Since we registered esteemsoft.com and esteemsoft.com.my, he would like to seek our opinion regarding the registration that is happening in China.

A copy of the mail is as follow:

Dear esteemsoft:

We are Shanghai Chooke Network Information Technology Co., Ltd, which is the domain name register center in China. I have something need to confirm with you.

We have received an application formally, one company named "MAX (China) Holdings Limited" applies for the domain names(www.esteemsoft.cn,www.esteemsoft.com.cn,etc.) ,and the Internet keyword(esteemsoft)on the internet December 30, 2008. We need to know the opinion of your company because the domain names and keyword may relate to the copyright of brand name on internet.

we would like to get the affirmation of your company, please contact us by telephone or email as soon as possible.

Kind Regards,

Anthony Chen

Tel: +86-21-62416070
Fax: +86-21-62597835
Email: anthony@chooke.com.cn
Shanghai Chooke Network Information Technology Co., Ltd
website: www.chooke.com.cn

Initially, I thought that this one was genuine. So I replied:

Dear Athony,

Thank you for informing us about this.

We object the use of esteemsoft as domain name and keyword because it is our brand name.

Thanks.

Best Regards,

David Ting
Esteem Innovation Sdn. Bhd.

I got a very fast response from them:

Dear David,

Thanks for your reply. According to our investigation, we knew you have registered the domain name "esteemsoft.com" and own the intellectual property / own the trademark "esteemsoft", this is why we informed you.But now this company wanted to apply for other domain names and internet brand you have not registered yet.This company wants to apply the following domain names and internet brand:

1. Domain Name

esteemsoft.cn

esteemsoft.com.cn

esteemsoft.hk

esteemsoft.tw

esteemsoft.asia

2. Internet keyword(Internet brand)

esteemsoft

You must know domain name takes open registration(Unrestricted), this is international domain name registration rule.So everyone has right to register them(available domains).As a domain name registrar, we have no right to dispute their application. So inform your company to protect your interest. But as the company whose trademarks relate to the applied domains, you will get the priority to register these domain names.

If you have business in China or you want to develop business in China in the near future, so I think these domain names are very important for you! Of course, each company has their own idea. If you don't think their application will affect your company, you can give up. But if you think these domain names are useful for your company, we can send an application form and register procedure to you and help you register them within dispute period. This is the only way to prevent domain name grabber. Pls let us know your decision soon, so that we can handle the next step.

Kind Regards and Happy new year.

Anthony Chen
Tel: +86-21-62416070
Fax: +86-21-62597835
Email: anthony@chooke.com.cn
Shanghai Chooke Network Information Technology Co., Ltd
website: www.chooke.com.cn

I started to suspect that this was a scam after receiving this email. A quick internet search confirmed my suspicion. One website commented about the scam:

There is no such a thing as a registrar contacting a company because a third party was trying to register a similar domain name. Chinese domain name can be registered both in China and overseas and immediately, provided that they are available at the very moment the search is conducted. On the other hand a domain name doesn’t automatically make a trademark owner unless related to a brand which has been properly registered with the country’s relevant organizations, and in which case the trademark would apply solely to that specific country.

Now I wanted to continue the game and replied as follow:

Dear Anthony,

These domain names are very important to us as we are expanding business to these regions very soon. Please send us the necessary information so that we can secure them as soon as possible.

Thanks.

Regards,
David

I got the following reply:

Dear David,

Thanks for your letter. If you want to register them for yourselves,Pls assist us, and operate according to the following procedures:

1.Fill in the application form which contains the cost of registration, send the form back.

2.We will cancel the registration of the third party after receiving your application form.And we will help you to register these domain names and internet keyword(Internet brand) under the name of your company.

3.We will send an invoice to you.

4.We will finish your registration completely after receiving the payment. And send the certificates to you within 15 workdays.

Attached you will find the application form, pls check,you can choose domains you need. Wishing to confirm your decision, If you have any questions, pls feel free to contact us.

Kind Regards,

Anthony Chen
Tel: +86-21-62416070
Fax: +86-21-62597835
Email: anthony@chooke.com.cn
Shanghai Chooke Network Information Technology Co., Ltd
website: www.chooke.com.cn

And the form looks like this: (Click to get a larger view)

After receiving the form, I replied that I would like to register all domains listed for 20 years. Even Microsoft don’t do this :-)

Dear Anthony,

Considering that the domain name is upmost important to us, as such we would like to secure all of them for 20 years. Can you please invoice us and let us know how should we pay you?

Thanks.

Regards,
David

I received the following email with invoice:

Dear David,

Thanks for your reply. Attached you will find the Invoice signed and stamped, pls be assured. In addition,let the accounting department transfer the payment,and fax the proof of payment to us for checking the payment with our local Bank. We will finish your registration completely within 2 workdays after receiving your payment. The certificate will be awarded you after 15 workdays after finishing the registration. If you have any questions,please contact me freely.

Kind Regards and Happy new year.

Anthony Chen
Tel: +86-21-62416070
Fax: +86-21-62597835
Email: anthony@chooke.com.cn
Shanghai Chooke Network Information Technology Co., Ltd
website: www.chooke.com.cn

The invoice signed by Ah Chiek (same nick name as my nephew Heng Chiek :-)). Click to get a larger view. The total amount is USD 10,000. Only idiot will transfer this amount to them :-)

If you own some domain and receive this type of email, please be careful. You could "play-play" if you want :-)

See you next post :-)