Domain Appraisal

Let's get straight to the point.

Few days ago, I listed my domain name for sale at Sedo. To cut it short, there's one guy with the name of Andrew Stone contact me via email saying that he has a client willing to buy my domain name with a high price. This is the first email that I received:

Hello!

I represent a client who wants to buy <removed as it makes user identifiable- dotti>

My client has six-figure budget for 55-60 domains. He invests in domains with good potential almost every month.

Please email me your desired price.

How can we transfer money to you (escrow, wire transfer or Western Union)?

Our company is in a web hosting business. We also provide brokerage services for domain buyers. If you have more domains for sale please email me the list with prices.

Regards,

Andrew Stone

MCSE

Vice President | Investor Relations | Host Europe Group

WN7 2PB

46 Chapel Street

Manchester

UK

So, I agreed to sell to him the domain name but he requested me to do domain name appraisal to see any TM infringement. So I did it and this process cost me 79euro which i think quite expensive. He only accept appraisal service from the one that he included in the email:

Yes, he is still interested.
$800 -Ok.

Before my client sends you the money, he will require two documents:

1. Screenshot of your domain account. It will prove you are a legitimate owner.

2. Domain seller's certificate from 1and1 Domain Certifications.

This certificate includes two essential things: appraisal of the market price and a trademark infringement verification. It proves your domain has no trademark problems. If the appraised value in your certificate comes higher we will increase our offer accordingly.

Please send the screenshot and the certificate to my email.

If you are new to the certification process I can help you with step by step instructions.

So, I bought the service and I'm shocked to see the price of the domain is very high, instead of $800, it was $8000+.

Then, I look at the online forum, to see whether any domainers receive this kind of offer and as expected, there are many people encounter this kind of offer and most of them ignore him once he requested them to do the domain appraisal.

Now, I feel that I might lose my 79euro, but currently he wants to transfer 40% of the total price of the domain name to my bank account using wire transfer and i gave him the swiftcode and my account number.

Now, I have a question. Can he do something illegal with the swiftcode and the account number that I just gave him?

Please help, I feel very worry right now.

Now, I feel that I might lose my 79euro

,

Unfortunately you will.

but currently he wants to transfer 40% of the total price of the domain name to my bank account using wire transfer and i gave him the swiftcode and my account number.
Now, I have a question. Can he do something illegal with the swiftcode and the account number that I just gave him?

One of a few things can happen here:
1) he sends a bogus email from your bank, claiming payment was made and is on hold until you send money somewhere (either another fee is needed, or he accidentally overpaid and you need to send the balance back.) If you send money, you will later discover you sent your own money, because the bank email was fake and no deposit was ever made.

2) something will come up and he will switch payment methods--most likely to a (fake) escrow service. You will send money to the (fake) escrow for its services. Of course it is really just going to the scammer.

3) He makes a deposit to your account using a fake check or money stolen from another account. An emergency will come up requiring that you send some or all of the money back. Later, when it is discovered the deposit was bad, the bank will come after you.

4) Of course if the other info he wants from you will give him any suggestions for possible passwords for your online banking, or if it gives him enough to answer the security questions and reset your password, he will be happy to try to get into your account.

Due to numbers 3 and 4 above, it is a good idea to contact the fraud department of your bank and explain what has happened. Just explain what has happened, and ask what needs to be done to protect it.

Please also post the email addresses this scammer is using and the site he sent you to for the (bogus) appraisal.