Chinese Scammers Trying to Scam me Into Buying CN Domains

I have been having a bit of fun with Chinese scammers who have been trying to get me to buy cn domains for the networkbees website. To be fair, I probably brought it on myself. I first saw their email in my spam section. I got curious and instead of deleting the thing, I responded to these people. In essence, what they are claiming is that they are from a Domain Registration Service Company in China and they have received a request to register domains similar to mine from some company. Anyway, I will let the letters below do the talking. The entire thing is pretty entertaining;

Albert Liu

Albert Liu albert@chinaregistry.org.cn via netregistrydns.net

Feb 26, 2020, 11:04 PM

to admin

(It’s very urgent, please transfer this email to your CEO. Thanks)

This is a formal email. We are the Domain Registration Service company in China. Here I have something to confirm with you. On 2020-02-27, we received an application from Kanghong Ltd requested “networkbees” as their internet keyword and China (CN) domain names (networkbees.cn, networkbees.com.cn, networkbees.net.cn, networkbees.org.cn). But after checking it, we find this name conflict with your company name or trademark. In order to deal with this matter better, it’s necessary to send email to you and confirm whether your company is affiliated with this Chinese company or not?

Best Regards

---

Albert Liu | Service & Operations Manager

China Registry (Head Office) | 6012, Xingdi Building, No. 1698 Yishan Road, Shanghai 201103, China

Tel: +86-02161918696 | Fax: +86-02161918697 | Mob: +86-13816428671

Email: albert@chinaregistry.org.cn

Web: www.chinaregistry.org.cn

My Response

Hey. No, my company is not affiliated with that Chinese company. Please don’t register them!

Gareth Jing

I then received the following letter from someone called Gareth Jing. Apparently, the belligerent Jing was the one trying to buy my domains in China.

To whom it concerns,

We will register the China domain names “networkbees.cn” “networkbees.com.cn” “networkbees.net.cn” “networkbees.org.cn” and internet keyword “networkbees” and have submitted our application. We are waiting for Mr. Albert Liu’s approval and think these CN domains and internet keyword are very important for our business. Even though Mr. Albert Liu advised us to change another name, we will persist in this name.

Kind regards

Gareth Jing

My Response

What the hell! Cant you find your own domain names? Let me talk to Mr Liu to block you right now!

Next, I got a letter from Albert Liue. It only goes to show that this Chinese domain registration scam is well thought out.

Albert Liue

Dear ……..,  

We have already suggested that they should choose another name to avoid this conflict according as your company have no relationship with them, but they persist in this name as China domain names (networkbees.cn, networkbees.com.cn, networkbees.net.cn, networkbees.org.cn) and internet keyword. In our opinion, maybe they do the similar business as your company then register it to promote his company.   As is known to all, the domain name registration based on the international principle is opened to company and individual. Any company or individual have the right to register any domain name and internet keyword which are unregistered. Your company haven’t registered this name as China domains and internet keyword, so any company is able to obtain them by registration. But in order to avoid this conflict, the trademark or original name owner have priority right to register China domain name and internet keyword during our dispute period. If your company is the original owner of this name and want to register these China domain names (networkbees.cn, networkbees.com.cn, networkbees.net.cn, networkbees.org.cn) and internet keyword to prevent anybody from using them, please inform us. We can send you an application form with price list to help your company register these China domains and internet keyword during our dispute period.

My Response

Yes, please proceed.

I would like to register the domains in China. Please send the quote. Don’t let those criminals register my domains.

Regards

Albert Liue

Dear ……

Please find the attached application form. You can find the price from this form. If your company want to register these CN domain names and internet keyword, please fill out this application form and send it back with the copy of company’s business registration certificate within the next 3 business days.  

Best Regards

The Quote

Below is the quote that I got from Mr Liu

Well, I am not going to pay anything for some Chinese domain. I don’t care if they register my domain in China. As far as I know, I have never gotten even a single reader for my blog from China. So, to hell with them! Anyway, I am going to suggest that they half the price just to to keep the charade going.

What do you think? Leave a comment below! Also read about my phishing scam experience.