Domain purchase - scam?

[Astute]

Hi guys,

Just wondered if anyone can help me with something - I registered a domain a few months ago and not really done anything with it.

I got an email from someone claiming to be a representative / broker for an Arab investor who is looking to buy up 30-40 domains.

I have had a bit of back and forth with this guy and seem to have a decent price reachable. But what worries me is that the Buyer wants the domain valued and the broker has given me a link to some Google Answers thread which I think is fabricated. The thread mentions a cheap website to get appraisals but I cannot find anything about the company offering the service.

The brokers phone number doesn't work and has been elusive when I asked about his background.

Would be pleased to hear if anyone has any similar experience as starting to get suspicious this is an elaborate scam to get details via the appraisal site. Too good to be true?

Cheers,

Astute

 

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[Berters]

Don't pay for anything, or exchange any details anywhere. If they want something, they can cover any costs. I call BS.

 

[Astute]

Don't pay for anything, or exchange any details anywhere. If they want something, they can cover any costs. I call BS.

Thanks Berters.

Did a bit more fishing around and came across:

http://activeblogging.com/info/how-do-avoid-scams-when-selling-your-domain-name/

Better to leave it I think!

Astute

 

[harerace]

I think its REAL! I get emails from a African Prince all the time.

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

. The thread mentions a cheap website to get appraisals but I cannot find anything about the company offering the service.

Because the appraisal is the con. There are no domain buyers. No one wants your domain.

If you con 100 people into thinking they can get $500 for some bad domain (my-great-domain-1230.com) based on the requirement that they get a cheap appraisal at $29.95 because "the buyer required it" -- the con artists make nearly $3k. A great scammy moneymaker when ultimately there are no domain buyers, just wannabe sellers buying fake appraisals to appease a would-be buyer.

Other than real estate, there should be no costs to sell anything. The buyer pays for everything. If the scammer wants an appraisal, tell him to pay for it himself or pound sand.