Domain name scam alert

We got a call this morning from a woman named Amy Jones, claiming to be with Atlas Business Online. A purported U.K.-based internet and e-commerce firm.

She was calling to “alert us” to a “strange request”. A “gentleman” was “attempting to use their firm to register 12 domain names that were very similar” our our website and firm name. And for 10 years! While she had confirmed with him that he had no link to our Company, which she described as the proper owner of the domain name, she couldn’t prevent him from registering these names and conducting whatever business he wanted to. And for just 100 pounds each, we can own these names instead of this “gentleman”…all 12 of them. Before he gets them.

She went on, with phrases such as:

– “the number of names he’ll have will ensure that he’ll get a better Google rank than you, directing your customers to his site”
– “although she doesn’t know what the rules are in Canada, there is nothing she can do under U.K. law to prevent him from registering the names”
– “you need to do this right now, his application is already in our system and might be processed in the next few minutes. I can’t stop it as it is already entered in our systems”

I asked her if she could email me the details of this contract, to which she replied: “I don’t have a computer in front of me, I’m on the help desk. We don’t use contracts, there’s nothing for you to sign. I just need your credit card number….”

After a few additional requests, she finally relented and agreed to send me an email outlining the opportunity along with a credit card form. The headline on the form? “Intervention”. Sounds like she’s trying to stop fraud, not enage in one.

It took my colleague Jason a few minutes to find out about this scam. And scam it is. A blogger named “Swimgeek” came across the same thing a short while ago, although the U.K.-based firm was called Profile Business Services, and not Atlas.

If you look at the two websites, you’ll notice distinct similarities. Best of all, under the “terms and conditions” section, these two firms are a mirror image.

But, a few clicks into DNS Tools, and lo and behold, these two firms share the same IP address 74.52.164.18, as well as the same registration house. Those Tucows guys. Profile started in business in November 2006, while Atlas reared its ugly head on March 22, 2007. Although the firm’s mailing addresses are different, they both are in and around London.

If Interpol gets interested, she’s now calling back, looking for her £1200. She said she can be reached at 011-44-87-00-677703 x2369. Best of luck.

MRM