Market Research SCAM MCD Research - VM Research

I answered an ad for people to participate in market research. The compensation is $300. http://www.mcdserve.com. MCD Research. The original email came from Julie Bohner ([email protected]) with instructions to click the link and register. The link takes you to http://mcdserve.com/required.php

The information associated with the MCD Research website is:
MCD Research Inc.
3731 Wilshire Blvd ,
Los Angeles, CA 90025
[email protected]
(213)402-6133

Today, I received a letter and a check. The letter stated that I reply to [email protected] and it included a "check" in the amount of $2,450.00 "drawn" on TD Bank. I called TD Bank and the routing number doesn't exist in their system.

After looking more closely at the MCD Website, I find a "stay connected" button and looked at the source code. Here is what I found: http://opi.yahoo.com/online?u=VMResearchInc&m=g&t=2

I've read other posts about VM Research and apparently MCD Research is one and the same.

I looked at the WHOIS ownership for MCD Research and this is what I found below. There is no Michael Mauino that I can find and the address on Tulip Ave in Flora Park,NY is a residential address, probably a fraud.

I WILL BE TURNING OVER THE CHECK AND ALL THE DOCUMENTATION OVER TO THE AUTHORITIES FOR POSSIBLE PROSECUTION. PLEASE BE AWARE THIS IS A SCAM AND DO NOT CASH ANY CHECKS!

omain Name: MCDSERVE.COM
Registry Domain ID: 1843421861_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.domain.com
Registrar URL: http://www.domain.com
Updated Date: 2014-01-19 08:01:13
Creation Date: 2014-01-19T08:01:12Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2015-01-19 13:01:12
Registrar: Domain.com, LLC
Registrar IANA ID: 886
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: [email protected]
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.6027165396
Reseller: iPage
Reseller: [email protected]
Reseller: +1.8774724399
Domain Status:
Registry Registrant ID:
Registrant Name: Michael Maunio
Registrant Organization: Michael Maunio
Registrant Street: 180 Tulip Avenue
Registrant City: Floral Park
Registrant State/Province: NY
Registrant Postal Code: 11001
Registrant Country: US
Registrant Phone: +1.7182620317
Registrant Phone Ext:
Registrant Fax:
Registrant Fax Ext:
Registrant Email: [email protected]
Registry Admin ID:
Admin Name: Michael Maunio
Admin Organization: Michael Maunio
Admin Street: 180 Tulip Avenue
Admin City: Floral Park
Admin State/Province: NY
Admin Postal Code: 11001
Admin Country: US
Admin Phone: +1.7182620317
Admin Phone Ext:
Admin Fax:
Admin Fax Ext:
Admin Email: [email protected]
Registry Tech ID:
Tech Name: Eric White
Tech Organization: iPage Hosting
Tech Street: 10 Corporate Dr., Suite 300
Tech City: Burlington
Tech State/Province: MA
Tech Postal Code: 01803
Tech Country: US
Tech Phone: +1.8774724399
Tech Phone Ext:
Tech Fax: +1.7812726550
Tech Fax Ext:
Tech Email: [email protected]
Name Server: NS2.IPAGE.COM
Name Server: NS1.IPAGE.COM
DNSSEC: Unsigned
URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/
>>> Last update of WHOIS database: 2014-01-19 08:01:13 <<<

Registration Service Provider:
iPage, [email protected]
+1.8774724399
This company may be contacted for domain login/passwords,
DNS/Nameserver changes, and general domain support questions.

Registrar: DOMAIN.COM, LLC
Whois Server: whois.domain.com
Creation Date: 19-JAN-2014
Updated Date: 19-JAN-2014
Expiration Date: 19-JAN-2015

Nameserver: NS1.IPAGE.COM
Nameserver: NS2.IPAGE.COM

Registry Status: ok

mcdserve.com is in the process of being reported for fraud.

Can you post more information about this as I want to go to the authorities.

Thanks

I would also like to know more on how I can turn in the information and check I got in the mail. The company that sent mine is "OUT RESEARCH INC". I was sent a check for over $2000 with only instructions to email them after I got it. I haven't emailed them back because I figured it was some sort of scam. Their website is outresearchcompany.com/required.php

outresearch.com is in the process of being reported for fraud.

@corgilover,

You can turn the check, envelope and letter over to the US Postal Inspector. You can also rip it up and throw it in the trash. In either case stop all communication with the scammer. Do not tell him you received it or not. Just ignore him.


Report for US Postal Inspector. http://ehome.uspis.gov/FCSExternal/pdf/ps8165.pdf