I got this email yesterday:
Dear Sir
We received a formal application from a company who is called Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd are applying to register “ oryxdigital” as their domain name and Internet keyword in China and also in Asia on Apr 17 2008. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to that word. As authorized anti-cybersquatting organization we hereby suspect the alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd to be a domain grabber. Hence we need you confirmation for two things,
First of all, whether this alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd is your business partner or distributor in China.
Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains. (The alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd will be entitled to obtain a domain not needed by original trademark owner.)
If you are not in charge of this please transfer this email to appropriate dept.
This is a letter for confirmation. If the mentioned third party is your business partner or distributor in China please DO NOT reply. We will automatically confirm application from your business partner after this audit procedure.
Bst Rgs
chenllychen
Registration Commissioner
Beijing HA ZD Networks Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Tel: +86-10-82772601
Fax: +86-10-82773610
Email:chenlly.chen@ha-zd.com
Needless to say, it’s yet another scam. The “Meiao Investment Co” (if they even exist) have no interest in my domain. I am guessing the scammer just wants me to pay good money for a worthless .cn domain. Sigh. More details here.
Hopefully somebody Googling “Meiao Investment Co” or “ha-zd.com” will find this post and save themselves a few dollars.
Update 28-Oct-13: Christopher Hofman Laursen contacted me to say he has published a list of 200 Chinese domain name scammers at: scam.europeandomaincentre.com .
Successful Software 
I even have not time to read things like that :)
Hi Andy,
I’ve been getting those too.
It’s pretty easy and ingenious if you think about it. First getting the list of emails is as being a registrar (getting the whois for all those domains might be problematic). Second, you’re preying on the fear of chinese hackers, customizing the message to your domain!
I bet you the effectiveness of this spam is very high in comparison to the other junk.
I regularly get snail mail from a certain domain registrar in the US (I’m in Oz) who has (in red bold type at the top) Final Notice, your domain us due to expire. It may be lost if you do not renew now! Of course they aren’t my domain registrar and my domains aren’t up for renewal, but you’ve got to wonder how many folks fall for this.
“Domain registry of America” by any chance? I get those.
I also know a fellow microISV that admitted he fell for one of these letters. He is a smart guy, but we all make mistakes.
Very smart scam, thank you very much for your posting. I think most people would be concerned at protecting their trademark & I thank you once again for confirming that we thought it might be a scam
These mails seems to be getting a lot more common lately and my customers have started reporting them to me.
My friends in China assure me that the scam is all to do with selling domain names by applying a bit of Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt in the minds of the recipients and that it has very little to do with harvesting emails, but who knows for sure.
Here is another similar email I received on 07-May-08:
Dear PerfectTablePlan.:
We are Beijing Invees Network Science and Technology Co.,Ltd which is the domain name re gister center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register “perfecttableplan” as their domain name and Internet keyword on May.6th, 2008. Because this involved your company name or trade marks so we inform you in no time. If you considered these domain names and internet keywords are important to you and there was necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon.
Kind Regards,
Toby.yang
Tel:+86-10-82476192（ext.611）
Fax:+86-10-62477798
Email:toby.yang@invees.com
Beijing Invees Network Science and Technology Co.,Ltd
website:www.invees.com
I am more than stunned to see this. HAZD are stealing emails form a non-profit anti-cybersqutting organization. It just like a thief steal a uniform and a gun form a cop and turns to rob.
I guess they will be in a great trouble with lawyers and gov.
Having said that, I have to reveal more info as the MD of HKZC Network. We have a non-profit anti-cybersquatting organization cooperating with us in China and a whole system which fighting against domain piracy. This is a email forwarded to us one from one of our clients as a reply to HA ZD. This client have received millions of spams like that. Eventually they come to us for a solution and claim our protection srvice.
Original email attached as below,
Greetings:
The afore mentioned company, MEIAO Investment Co., Ltd, is not a business partner of this company; xxxxxxx
Currently, I am in contact and working with Arrow Wang(HKZC Network) to register and secure these domain names for xxxxxxxxx, LLC
Thank you for contacting me regarding this matter.
Respectfully,
Mr. xxxx
Manager/Owner
xxxxxxxx, LLC
——– Original Message ——–
Subject: xxxxxxxxx domain name registration confirmation
From: “CHENLY.CHEN”
Date: Fri, May 09, 2008 12:06 am
To: office@xxxxxxx.com
Dear Sir
We received a formal application from a company who is called Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd are applying to register “xxxxxxxxx as their domain name and Internet keyword in China and also in Asia on May 8 2008. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to that word. As authorized anti-cybersquatting organization we hereby suspect the alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd to be a domain grabber. Hence we need you confirmation for two things,
First of all, whether this alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd is your business partner or distributor in China.
Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains. (The alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd will be entitled to obtain a domain not needed by original trademark owner.)
If you are not in charge of this please transfer this email to appropriate dept.
This is a letter for confirmation. If the mentioned third party is your business partner or distributor in China please DO NOT reply. We will automatically confirm application from your business partner after this audit procedure.
Bst Rgs
chenllychen
Registration Commissioner
Beijing HA ZD Networks Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Tel: +86-10-82772601
Fax: +86-10-82773610
Email:chenlly.chen@ha-zd.com
http://www.ha-zd.com.cn
If you received any email similar to that or its variation, please forward to hc@bjhkzc.cn. Mr. Chan and his team will he help you out.
More Domain Scam
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?p=6944670#post6944670
Having mentioned HKZC is the only Anti-Cybersquatting Organization in China, we seriously concern some registrars’ fraud under our name.
According our clients feedback a HA ZD Network Science and Technology Co,.Ltd is keeping sending scam exactly the same as HKZC confirmation request email . This likeness is beyond coincidence we can believe.
HKZC now officially confirm that HA ZD Network have nothing to do with HKZC Network Science and Technology Co,.Ltd and they have no right to represent or acting as agent of HKZC. We have reasons to believe HA ZD hacked data base of China Registry and may contact you with unsolicited emails.
HKZC lawyers team is collecting evidence to raise accuse on this HA ZD for racketeering. If you can forward the email received from HA ZD, we will be appreciated. Cooperating with CNNIC and local police, HKZC is confident to defeat any tortuous purposes or actions including but not limited to this fraud conducted by this whatsoever HA ZD Network Science and Technology Co,.Ltd.
Haze,
For all we know, you could be just another scammer. Especially as you are using a hotmail address.
Thank god that this is only a scam. I was worried when I get this email. domain scam Beijing Anwins Network Service Co.,Ltd
Dear Web Technology Pvt. Ltd.,:
We are Beijing Anwins Network Service Co.,Ltd, which is the domain name register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is called Yunfeitongda International Trade Company are applying to register ” webtechnepal” as their domain name and Internet keyword on May 4rd 2008. Because this involved your company name or trade marks so we inform you in no time. If you considered these domain names and internet keywords are important to you and there was necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon.
Kind Regards,
Jim Chen
Tel: +86-10-82476192-604
Fax: +86-10-62477798
Email: jim.chen@anwins.com
Beijing Anwins Network Service Co.,Ltd
website:www.anwins.com
Hi Guys
Here is yet another example…..this one turned up in my email may 15th 08
We are Beijing Invees Network Science and Technology Co.,Ltd which is the domain name register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register “balidreamingptyltd” as their domain name and Internet keyword on May 14 2008. Because this involved your company name or trade marks so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keywords important to you and necessary to protect them by registering them ahead,please contact us as soon as possible
I have to admire their optimism, as when I asked for detais they provided me with no fewer than 8 domain registrations I needed to protect to head off the intruder
It looks like someone is after my domain as well — Beijing Invees Network contacted me, just today, concerned on my behalf, for the keyword “delmer.”
What in the world could “delmer” mean in Chinese? One of our engineers is Chinese and he’s never said anything like, “‘Delmer?’ You know, in Chinese that means McDonalds.”
Anyway, thanks for making this post — it made researching Beijing Invees Network a bit easier.
Hi all,
I got this e-mail today:
“Dear XXX
We received a formal application from a company who is called Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd are applying to register “xxx.” as their domain name and Internet keyword in China and also in Asia on May 21th 2008. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to that word. As authorized anti-cybersquatting organization we hereby suspect the alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd to be a domain grabber. Hence we need you confirmation for two things,
First of all, whether this alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd is your business partner or distributor in China.
Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains. (The alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd will be entitled to obtain a domain not needed by original trademark owner.)
If you are not in charge of this please transfer this email to appropriate dept.
This is a letter for confirmation. If the mentioned third party is your business partner or distributor in China please DO NOT reply. We will automatically confirm application from your business partner after this audit procedure.
Bst Rgs
Barton Lu
Registration Commissioner
Tel: +0086-10-82771675-602 +0086-10-82772510-602
Fax: +0086-10-82771640
Email: barton@bjhknet.cn”
I google the name of the company and found you.
Thanks, very helpfull
We also recieved a similar mail.
Should we answer ?
Thanks for your help ?
Frederique Bernasconi
De : shannon@ha-zd.org [mailto:shannon@ha-zd.org]
Envoyé : vendredi 30 mai 2008 04:03
À : advens@advens-france.com
Objet : Advens-france domain name registration co nfirmation request
Importance : Haute
Dear Sir,
Wish everything well with you and your esteemed company!
We write to inform you that we received a formal application from a company called Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd on May 29, 2008. They want to register ” advens-france”through us as their domain name (not.com) in china and asia.
During our auditing procedure we surprisingly find out that the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to the keyword they want to register. So we search online and found your contact information to send you this confirmation letter.
Dear sir, is this company your business partner or you commit them to do this?
We are in a big confusion and concerning your company’s interests we send you this letter. If you don’t reply we will have to confirm the application from Saibo investment after this confirming procedure.
Looking forward to your prompt response.
Any information you want to know from us please feel free to contact.
Kindest regards.
Shannon fang
Registration Commissioner
Beijing HA ZD Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Tel: +86-10-82772601
Fax: +86-10-82773610
Email:Shannon@ha-zd.org
http://www.ha-zd.com.cn
Ignore them.
Hi everyone,
Well here is just another to add to the list of people that don’t have anything better to do with their lives. I mean, what do they get out of this.
Obviously just a scam.
Dear Sir,
Wish everything well with you and your esteemed company!
We write to inform you that we received a formal application from a company called Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd on June3, 2008. They want to register
“finerface”through us as their domain name (not.com) in china and asia.
During our auditing procedure we surprisingly find out that the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to the keyword they want to register. So we search online and found your contact information to send you this confirmation letter.
Dear sir, is this company your business partner or you commit them to do this?
We are in a big confusion and concerning your company’s interests we send you this letter. If you don’t reply we will have to confirm the application from Saibo investment after this confirming procedure.
Looking forward to your prompt response.
Any information you want to know from us please feel free to contact.
Kindest regards.
Anne.chen
Registration Commissioner
Beijing HA ZD Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Tel: +86-10-82772601
Fax: +86-10-82773610
Email: Anne.chen @ha-zd.org
http://www.ha-zd.com.cn
by the way,
check out this website, http://wmjhy153.tistory.com/480 this is obviously where they copy and paste their scam letter from
Here is another variant I got today:
“Dear Sir or Madam,
This email is from Beijing Erimart Network Service Co, Ltd in China. A formal application here dated on Jun 6th from a company called Qiangsizhu Investment (China) Co., Ltd requested “oryxdigital” as their domain names (.cn/.hk/etc) and internet keyword. Due to the possibility of involving your company name or trade mark, thus causing the conflict with your online interest, we bring this into your attention immediately in view of your priority and IPR according to the registration procedure. You could contact us for learning more about it or seeking the corresponding operation on your behalf promptly. (Please check our public website for your possible inquiries)
Kind Regards
Bill.che
Tel: +86-10-62667420 (ext.607)
Fax: +86-10-62667460
Email: bill.che@beijing-erimart.cn bill.erimat@gmail.com
Beijing Erimart Network Service Co, Ltd
Website: http://www.erimart.com”
Note to anyone that wants oryxdigital.cn or oryxdigital.hk – be my guest. Knock yourself out.
Thank for your post. We are based in Spain and receive constantly this kind of emails (please see below. I hope this post help more people.
Regards
De: shannon@ha-zd.org [mailto:shannon@ha-zd.org]
Enviado el: lunes, 02 de junio de 2008 10:24
Para: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Asunto: xxxxxxxxxx domain name registration c onfirmation request
Importancia: Alta
Dear Sir,
Wish everything well with you and your esteemed company!
We write to inform you that we received a formal application from a company called Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd on May 30, 2008. They want to register ” xxxxxxxxxx” through us as their domain name (not.com) in china and asia.
During our auditing procedure we surprisingly find out that the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to the keyword they want to register. So we search online and found your contact information to send you this confirmation letter.
Dear sir, is this company your business partner or you commit them to do this?
We are in a big confusion and concerning your company’s interests we send you this letter. If you don’t reply we will have to confirm the application from Saibo investment after this confirming procedure.
Looking forward to your prompt response.
Any information you want to know from us please feel free to contact.
Kindest regards.
Shannon fang
Registration Commissioner
Beijing HA ZD Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Tel: +86-10-82772601
Fax: +86-10-82773610
Email:Shannon@ha-zd.org
http://www.ha-zd.com.cn
Pingback: Colin Gardom » Domain Scam via China
I got one today:
—
Jun 10, 2008
Domain name & Internet keyword
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are Beijing Anwins Network Service Co., Ltd which is the domain name register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register “website” as their domain name and Internet keyword on Jun 9, 2008. Because this involves your company name or trade mark so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon.
Kind Regards,
Noah.Wang
Tel:+86-10-82781281-608
Fax: +86-10-62968871
Email: noah.wang@anwins.con
noah.wang@anwins.cn
Beijing Anwins Network Service Co., Ltd
website: http://www.anwins.com
Here is my contribution to the China Scams:
Dear Sir
We received a formal application from a company who is called Saibo Investment Co.Ltd is applying to register ” Educationspecialists” as their domain name and Internet keyword in China as well as in Asia on June 12, 2008. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Saibo Investment Co.Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to that word. As an authorized anti-cyber squatting organization we hereby suspect the alleged Saibo Investment Co.Ltd to be a domain grabber. Hence we need your confirmation for two things, `
First of all, whether this alleged Saibo Investment Co.Ltd is your business partner or distributor in China.
Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains (Asia, cn, com.cn, etc as a suffix, the alleged Saibo Investment Co.Ltd will be entitled to obtain a domain not needed by original trademark owner.)
If you are not in charge of this please transfer this email to appropriate dept.
This is a letter for confirmation. If the mentioned third party is your business partner or distributor in China please DO NOT reply. We will automatically confirm application from your business partner after this audit procedure.
Best wishes,
Vala.Huang
Registration Commissioner
Beijing HA ZD Networks Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Tel: +86-10-82772601
Fax: +86-10-82773610
Email:Vala.huang@ha-zd.org
http://www.ha-zd.com.cn
Just to add variant for the search engines…
From: alice.yang [mailto:alice.yang@anwins.cn]
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 3:52 AM
To: inquiries
Subject: Tidal Electric Domain name & Internet keyword
Jun 17, 2008
XXX XXX Co.
Domain name & Internet keyword
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are Beijing Anwins Network Service Co., Ltd which is the domain name register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register“xxxxxxxx”as their domain name and Internet keyword on Jun 16, 2008. Because this involves your company name or trade mark so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon.
Kind Regards,
Alice Yang
Tel:+86-10-62961631-8008
Fax:+86-10-62968871
Email: alice.yang@anwins.cn
Beijing Anwins Network Service Co.,Ltd
Website: http://www.anwins.com
2008-06-17
alice.yang
Another one:
———————————-
We are the domain name registration organization in Asia, which mainly deal with international company’s in Asia. We have something important need to confirm with your company. On the Jun 6, 2008, we received an application formally. One company named “Jonsee Holdings Limited” applies for the domain names …..
Jerry Zhang
Domain names auditing department
Add: 3A, Units 20/F, Far East Consortium Bldg., 121 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852-3059 3099 | +852-3075 9838
Fax:+852-3177 1520 | +852-3177 1510
Email: jerry.zhang@dnrservice.hk
Web: http://www.cnnet.hk
———————————-
The minimum reg duration is 10 years. Imagine the price?
I have had a couple of clients get these. It makes them nervous. Hate scammers.
i found this when i googled Meiao Investment – we just got the same email.
What’s odd is that we have operations in China, and have already registered the .cn domain for our company!!
We received similar solicitations:
Dear Sir/Madam,
>
> We are Beijing Invees Network Science And Technology Co.,Ltd which is
> the domain name register center in China. We received a formal
> application from a company who is applying to register
> “digitalrelaygeologix” as their domain name and Internet keyword on
> Jun 9, 2008. Because this involves your company name or trade mark so
> we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and
> internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect
> them by registering them first, contact us soon.
> Kind Regards,
> Tina Wang
> Auditing Department
> Beijing Invees Network Science And Technology Co.,Ltd
> Tel: +86-10-62667450
> Fax:+86-10-62968871
> Email: tina.wang@invees.cn
We sent them back this memo and they took the bait. It’s Hilarious.
Tina,
Please contact our office in Taiwan and ask to speak with Mr. Duk Dik
Best Regards,
Chivermi Tembers
VP Humame Relations
Duk Dik? Isn’t that a delicacy in China. ;0)
Here’s another one (my domain name removed and replaced with XXXXX)
Jun 30, 2008
XXXXX
Domain name & Internet keyword
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are Beijing Anwins Network Service Co., Ltd which is the domain name register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register “XXXXX” as their domain name and Internet keyword on Jun 28, 2008. Because this involves your company name or trade mark so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon.
Kind Regards,
Jake Zhang
Tel:+86-10-82781282 (ext.8017)
Fax:+86-10-62667460
Email: Jake.zhang@erimart-domains.com.cn
Beijing Erimart Network Service Co, Ltd
http://www.erimart.com
2008-06-30
Jake.zhang
Here is one we received, my domain removed. They wanted us to register about 10 extensions for a minimum of 10 years. Would of cost like 10K!
Dear Manager,
We are the domain name register center in China, which mainly deal with the domain name registration and dispute internationally. We have something important need to confirm with your company. On the Jun 12, 2008, we received an application formally. One company named “JonSee Holdings Limited” applies for the domain names (xxxxxx.net.cn, xxxxxx.org.cn, xxxxxx.hk, xxxxxx.tw, etc.) and the Internet brand name(xxxxxx)through our body.
After our initial examination, we found that the domain names and keywords applied for registration are as same as your company’s name and trademark, so We need to know the your opinion and would like to get the affirmation of your company,Please let someone in your company who is responsible for trademark or intellectual right contact me freely by E-mail.
Best Regards
Jerry Zhang
Sponsoring Registrar:
Domain names auditing department
——————————————————————————–
Add: 3A, Units 20/F, Far East Consortium Bldg., 121 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852-3059 3099 | +852-3075 9838
Fax:+852-3177 1520 | +852-3177 1510
Email: jerry.zhang@dntcl.hk.cn
Web: http://www.cnnet.hk
Our email from Bejing Invees has a little attitude!
Dear Sir or Madam
We are Beijing Invees Network Information Technology Co., Ltd, a domain name registration centre anthorized by CNNIC. On June 30th, we received an application for the domain name “xxxxxxxxxxx” from a company in China. But our statistics show that the original owner is your company.
After serious consideration , We decide to inform you of this because this may involve your trade mark . What is more important is that we need your attitude toward this incident. That is, do you want to protect these domain names or not? We would appreciate if you can spare some precious time to think about this issue. Thank you for your cooperation. Waiting for your prompt reply.
Kind Regards
Robin.li
Tel: +86-10- 82781282 (ext 8035)
Fax: +86-10-62667460
Email: Robin.li@invees.cn
Beijing Invees Network Information Technology Co., Ltd
Website: http://www.invees.cn (www.invees.com)
Thought I would add this to the list
about Domain name Dear Sir/Madam, We are Beijing Anwins Network Service Co., Ltd which is the domain name register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register “dogsoldier” their domain name and Internet keyword on Jul 6, 2008. Because this involves your company name or trade mark so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon. Kind Regards, Mark.Jiang Tel: +86-10-62667430(ext.8011) Fax:+86-10-62968871 Email: Mark.jiang@anwins-china.com.cn Beijing Anwins Network Service Co.,Ltd Website: http://www.anwins.com
i got the very same email 3 times this morning.
Here’s another one:
Dear XXXXXXX，
We are Beijing Invees Network Science and Technology Co.,Ltd, which is the
domain name
register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who
is applying
to register “XXXXXXX” as their domain name and Internet keyword on July
10th, 2008.
Because this involved your company name or trade marks so we inform you in no
time.
If you considered these domain names and internet keywords are important to you
and there was
necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon.
Kind Regards,
Hank Peng
Tel: +86-10-62667430-8007
Fax: +86-10-62968871
E-mail:hank.peng@invees-china.com.cn
Beijing Invees Network Science and Technology Co.,Ltd
Thank you Andy, and everyone else who has posted on this topic. We have recently received two similar letters for different domains we own, including one that sounded almost compelling. Your web site came up in a quick search for scam information related to this topic. Apparently, this is is fresh enough that the major SPAM/UCE filters have not caught up with it yet. Also interesting to note all the variations on the first name used with “Wang”.
Best regards,
-Corbin
Got the same one but now signed by: Rex.wang
I also go that anwins-china.com.cn email. Spread the word: it’s a complete scam. I would hate to see someone fall for it, as it is ever so slightly believable to the naive and baby boomer generation.
Within 24 hours of arriving in China, I received a similar note that someone was trying to register my dot com domain as dot cn. Who was monitoring my email? Would it be hotel staff, the ISP or someone else? “Sandy Song” did suggest that I could register it directly myself, and was concerned about my rights. Not so. It was registered by “her,” I assume for future extortion.
One of the most creative attempts came from someone, apparently in Russia, of key words from a corporate postioning page. He demanded that I release another useful, and used, domain name in return. In year two, he offered again, warning me not to lecture him about ethics or there would be no further communication.
This isn’t limited to China and Russia. When “Identity Online” was submitted for trademark registration, a trademark registration insider apparently snapped up the dot com registration before we received a reply that the name was registrable.
With a coming release of many new TLDs, this practice could become irrelevant, or get much worse. Domain name disputes are too costly and complicated except for the largest corporate pockets, unfortunately. We needed a master registry with some coherence and logic, tied to legal entites by name and jurisdiction, e.g., bcpvpa.bc.ca. Too late for all that.
I got this email this morning, it worried me at first but i’ve found multiple references to similar emails being sent to other people online thankfully. The company sending the email seem to be a legitimate chinese hosting provider, but the investment company seems to be totally bogus.
I also was hit with this scam. “meiao investment co”. I’m glad you posted this note so we are all aware.
THANKS
Thomas
I received this e-mail today, from Bruce Li (sic) of all people. Our business is based in the Isle of Man so our domain name ends ‘im’, obviously a popular choice…..Thank you for this post – very useful.
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are Beijing Anwins Network Service Co., etc, etc, etc Thanks for your co-operation and support.
Kind Regards
Bruce.li
Tel: +86-10-62961631 ext.8015
Fax:+86-10-62968871
Email: bruce.li@beijing-anwins.cn
Beijing anwins Network Service Co., Ltd
Website:www.anwins.com
Here is another similar in nature
Dear Sir
We received a formal application from a company who is called Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd is applying to register ” xxxxxxx” as their domain name in China as well as in Asia on July 29, 2008. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to that word. As an authorized anti-cyber squatting organization we hereby suspect the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd to be a domain grabber. Hence we need your confirmation for two things, `
First of all, whether this alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd is your business partner or distributor in China.
Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains (The alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd will be entitled to obtain a domain not needed by original trademark owner.)
If you are not in charge of this please transfer this email to appropriate dept.
This is a letter for confirmation. If the mentioned third party is your business partner or distributor in China please DO NOT reply. We will automatically confirm application from your business partner after this audit procedure.
Best wishes,
Vala.Huang
Registration Commissioner
Beijing HUAAO Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Tel: +86-10-82772601
Fax: +86-10-82773610
Email: Vala@ha-zd.net
http://www.ha-zd.net
It looks like they are still at it. Here is the latest example –
Dear {name of my company]
We received a formal application from a company who is called Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd are applying to register “name” as their domain name and Internet keyword in China and also in Asia on Aug 7th 2008. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to that word. As authorized anti-cybersquatting organization we hereby suspect the alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd to be a domain grabber. Hence we need you confirmation for two things,
First of all, whether this alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd is your business partner or distributor in China.
Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains. (The alleged Meiao Investment Co.,Ltd will be entitled to obtain a domain not needed by original trademark owner.)
If you are not in charge of this please transfer this email to appropriate dept.
This is a letter for confirmation. If the mentioned third party is your business partner or distributor in China please DO NOT reply. We will automatically confirm application from your business partner after this audit procedure.
Bst Rgs
Spark Li
Registration Commissioner
Beijing HKZC Co., Ltd
Tel: +86-10-82771675-602 +86-10-82772510-602
Fax: +86-10-82771640
Email: Spark@bj-hkzc.com.cn
http://www.bj-hkzc.com.cn
Http:// http://www.bj-hk.asia
The information in this email is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this email by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not an intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or other action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this message in error please be advised of your obligation to immediately notify sender of the error in transmission, and to destroy all associated documentation.
On Aug 7, 2008 I got a mail similar to the one Andy Brice quoted June 6 2008. Now, they started to not mention the company that applies for the name (as it is probably too easy to find out it does not exist).
I usually do not fall for scams like this, but here I even wrote to our national (Swiss) registry for advice before planning on answering erimart. They did not alert me to the scam(!), I will tell them now.
Thanks for this site, which clears things up not too soon. I did find the text rather dodgy, since first of all it remains unclear if a Chinese company wants to take away my /existing/ non-chinese domain, or if erimart wants to open the “bidding” on a hitherto non-existant /chinese/ domain (They have already an applicant, why search for another one?). Second, Hou claims to work for erimart, but his mail reads @domain-service.com.cn (the erimart employee andy quoted had two mail adresses bill.che@beijing-erimart.cn bill.erimat@gmail.com). The /official/ domain name registry for china is http://www.cnnic.net.cn, so the first sentence (“We are Beijing Erimart Network Service Co, Ltd which is the domain name register center in China”) is already misleading. Thanks again.
the mail:
Domain name & Internet keyword.
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are Beijing Erimart Network Service Co, Ltd which is the domain name register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register [#my domain name here without the .ch#] as their domain name and Internet keyword on Aug 4, 2008.Since after our investigation we found that this word has been in use by your company, and this may involve your company name or trade mark, so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon. Thanks for your co-operation and support.
Kind Regards,
brian.huo
Tel: +86-10-82781282 (ext.8024)
Fax: +86-10-82780671
Email: brian.huo@ domain-service.com.cn
Beijing Erimart Network Service Co, Ltd
Website: http://www.erimart.com
Got this on my email today. I googled and also found this site. Posting the email below so that you can be #1 on google :) What’s funny is that a domain registrar can’t even spell and write properly. LOL.
Note to Tom Tang: ‘Tang Ina Mo!
Dear Sir
We received a formal application from a company who is called Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd is applying to register ” xxxxx” as their domain name in Asia as well as in Europe on August 7, 2008. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to that word. As an authorized anti-cyber squatting organization we hereby suspect the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd to be a domain grabber. Hence we need your confirmation for two things, `
First of all, whether this alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd is your business partner or distributor in China.
Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains (The alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd will be entitled to obtain a domain not needed by original trademark owner.)
If you are not in charge of this please transfer this email to appropriate dept.
This is a letter for confirmation. If the mentioned third party is your business partner or distributor in China please DO NOT reply. We will automatically confirm application from your business partner after this audit procedure.
Best Wishes
Tom tang
Registration Commissioner
Beijing HUAAO Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Tel: +86-10-82772601
Fax: +86-10-82773610
Email:tom@ha-zd.net
http://www.ha-zd.net
Dear Sir
We received a formal application from a company who is called Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd is applying to register ” Dlmotors” as their domain name in Asia as w ell as in Europe on August 14, 2008. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to that word. As an authorized anti-cyber squatting organization we hereby suspect the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd to be a domain grabber. Hence we need your confirmation for two things, `
First of all, whether this alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd is your business partner or distributor in China.
Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains (The alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd will be entitled to obtain a domain not needed by original trademark owner.)
If you are not in charge of this please transfer this email to appropriate dept.
This is a letter for confirmation. If the mentioned third party is your business partner or distributor in China please DO NOT reply. We will automatically confirm application from your business partner after this audit procedure.
Best Wishes
Andy
Registration Commissioner
Beijing HUAAO Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Tel: +86-10-82772601
Fax: +86-10-82773610
Email: Andy@ha-zd.net
http://www.ha-zd.net
Just thought I’d throw another up here… got it from Vickie this morning, the “21th”. *rolls eyes*
—————–
August 21th, 2008
XXXXX
Domain name & Internet keyword
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are Beijing Invees Network Science And Technology Co.,Ltd which is the domain name register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register “XXXXX” as their domain name and Internet keyword on August 20th, 2008.Since after our investigation we found that this word has been in use by your company, and this may involve your company name or trade mark, so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon. Thanks for your co-operation and support.
Kind Regards,
Vickie Zhao
Tel:+86-10-62667430（ext.8049）
Fax: +86-10-62968871
Email: vickie.zhao@invees-domains. cn
Beijing Invees Network Science And Technology Co.,Ltd
Website: http://www.invees.com
Just got one almost exactly like the sample. It had the ‘scam’ feel but having no idea about registering domains, I forwarded it up the chain. Thanks for exposing this nonsense.
Just got one of these emails today, thanks for the heads-up!
We got a few of these as well. Posting the text in this comment so that someone googling this will find it. Thanks for writing a blog post.
FIRST EMAIL RECEIVED:
————————–
From: jim.chen [mailto:jim.chen@invees-domains.com.cn]
Date: Monday, August 18, 2008 11:53 PM
To: XXXXXXX
Subject: Domain name and Internet keyword Registration confirmation
Aug 19, 2008
Domain name and Internet keyword
Dear Sir/Madam,
Beijing Invees Network Science And Technology Co.,Ltd which is the domain name register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register “jigsawhealth” as their domain name and Internet keyword on Aug 18, 2008.Since after our investigation we found that this word has been in use by your company, and this may involve your company name or trade mark, so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon. Thanks for your co-operation and support.
Kind Regards,
Jim Chen
Tel:+86-10-62667430-8001
Fax: +86-10-662968871
Email: jim.chen@invees-domains.com.cn
Beijing Invees Network Science And Technology Co.,Ltd
Website: http://www.invees.com
MY REPLY:
————————–
XXXXXXX and XXXXXXX.com are protected trademarks. Any infringements will be prosecuted.
HIS REPLY:
————————–
From: jim.chen [mailto:jim.chen@invees-domains.com.cn]
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 6:41 PM
To: XXXXXXX
Subject: Re: RE: Domain name and Internet keyword Registration confirmation
Dear XXXXXXX,
We perfectly understand this is your company name or trademark, and that was exactly why you’ve got these emails from us. Domains are different from trademark or company name, as they can be registered worldwide. Now for your review, we describe you all domains and internet keyword being applied:
Domain names as below:
http://www.XXXXXXX.cn
http://www.XXXXXXX.com.cn
http://www.XXXXXXX.hk
http://www.XXXXXXX.tw
http://www.XXXXXXX.com.hk
http://www.XXXXXXX.com.tw
http://www.XXXXXXX.asia
Internet keyword as below:
XXXXXXX
Once you would like to protect or preserve them by registering ahead due to the importance, one valid application form will be sent to start your prior registration. Or we are going to approve the application from the third party if your company does not lay claim to these domains. Please let us know if there is anything more we might be of assistance. Thanks very much and your early reply will be appreciated.
An introduction of Internet Keyword is enclosed for your review.
Regards,
Jim Chen
Dear CEO,
We are the domain name registration organization in Asia,which mainly deal with the domain name registration and dispute internationally. Now we have something important need to confirm with your company.
On the Mar 21, 2008, we received an application formally. One company named “FuGuang International Holdings Ltd ” wanted to register following Domain names:
nucleussoftware.com.hk
nucleussoftware.name
nucleussoftware.kr
nucleussoftware.jp
nucleussoftware.tm
nucleussoftware.vn
nucleussoftware.com.my
Internet brand keyword: nucleussoftware
through our body.
After our initial examination, we found that the keywords and domain names applied for registration are as same as your company’s name and trademark.We don’t know whether you have any relation with them. These days we are dealing with it. Now we have not finished the registration of “FuGuang International Holdings Ltd” yet, in order to deal with this issue better, Please contact us by telephone or email as soon as possible.
Best Regards,
Johnson
Auditing Department
___________________________________________________________________________________
Tel:00852-3059 3099 00852-3075 9838
Fax:00852-31771520 00852-3177 1510
Website:w ww.fexon.hk E-mail :Johnson@dnrnic.net
Address: 3A, Units 20/F, Far East Consortium Bldg ,121 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong
Dear “Company XY” ,
Having had your name and address from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade,we now avail ourselves of this opportunity to write to you and have something important need to confirm with your company.
We are registration service center authorized by CHINAGOV (THE DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF THE STATE COMMISSION OFFICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM) in China.We received a formal application from a company(According to The China Law & Privacy Policy,Hidden The Real Name) is applying to register ” Company XY ” as their domain names and internet brand in China and also in Asia on June 23,2008. Considering domains and internet brand would involve the intellectual property of your company’s name,patents,trademarks,and copyright, and in order to avoid confusion between them, so we inform you urgently.
At present, many domain name registries or domain name investment companies in China and even the world register domains and internet brand,and then sell them to the owner of trademark at high prices to make huge profit. Therefore, we remind you particularly that if you considered these domain names and internet brand are very important to you and there is necessary to protect them by registering them first, please let someone who is responsible for trademark or domain name contact me as soon as possible,according to the register principle, the original owner of the trademark has the priority to register.Thank you for you cooperation.
Looking forward to your prompt reply,
Kind Regards,
Dr. Stephen Kang
Chief Law Officer,Senior Consulting Director
——————————————————————————–
Internet Brand Justice & Safety Dept.
FireTrust Technology Ltd.
Address: Unit2-602,Building4,Third Qianjiang Community,Hangzhou, China
Tel: +86-571-28927205 ext.801(Mon–Fri,9am to 6:30pm,GMT+8) Fax: +86-571-28926277
Email: Stephen.Kang@FireTrust.net.cn Web: w ww.FireTrust.net.cn w ww.FireTrust.org.cn
Dear “Company XY” ,
1
Having had your name and address from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade,we now avail ourselves of this opportunity to write to you and have something important need to confirm with your company.
We are registration service center authorized by CHINAGOV (THE DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF THE STATE COMMISSION OFFICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM) in China.We received a formal application from a company(According to The China Law & Privacy Policy,Hidden The Real Name) is applying to register ” Company XY ” as their domain names and internet brand in China and also in Asia on June 23,2008. Considering domains and internet brand would involve the intellectual property of your company’s name,patents,trademarks,and copyright, and in order to avoid confusion between them, so we inform you urgently.
At present, many domain name registries or domain name investment companies in China and even the world register domains and internet brand,and then sell them to the owner of trademark at high prices to make huge profit. Therefore, we remind you particularly that if you considered these domain names and internet brand are very important to you and there is necessary to protect them by registering them first, please let someone who is responsible for trademark or domain name contact me as soon as possible,according to the register principle, the original owner of the trademark has the priority to register.Thank you for you cooperation.
Looking forward to your prompt reply,
Kind Regards,
Dr. Stephen Kang
Chief Law Officer,Senior Consulting Director
——————————————————————————–
Internet Brand Justice & Safety Dept.
FireTrust Technology Ltd.
Address: Unit2-602,Building4,Third Qianjiang Communitv,Hangzhou, China
Tel: +86-571-28927205 ext.801(Mon–Fri,9am to 6:30pm,GMT+8) Fax: +86-571-28926277
Email: Stephen.Kang@FireTrust.net.cn Web: w ww.FireTrust.net.cn w ww.FireTrust.org.cn
Dear “Company Xx” ,
1
Having had your name and address from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade,we now avail ourselves of this opportunity to write to you and have something important need to confirm with your company.
We are registration service center authorized by CHINAGOV (THE DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF THE STATE COMMISSION OFFICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM) in China.We received a formal application from a company(According to The China Law & Privacy Policy,Hidden The Real Name) is applying to register ” Company XY ” as their domain names and internet brand in China and also in Asia on June 23,2008. Considering domains and internet brand would involve the intellectual property of your company’s name,patents,trademarks,and copyright, and in order to avoid confusion between them, so we inform you urgently.
At present, many domain name registries or domain name investment companies in China and even the world register domains and internet brand,and then sell them to the owner of trademark at high prices to make huge profit. Therefore, we remind you particularly that if you considered these domain names and internet brand are very important to you and there is necessary to protect them by registering them first, please let someone who is responsible for trademark or domain name contact me as soon as possible,according to the register principle, the original owner of the trademark has the priority to register.Thank you for you cooperation.
Looking forward to your prompt reply,
Kind Regards,
Dr. Stephen Kang
Chief Law Officer,Senior Consulting Director
——————————————————————————–
Internet Brand Justice & Safety Dept.
FireTrust Technology Ltd.
Address: Unit2-602,Building4,Third Qianjiang Community,Hangzhou, China
Tel: +86-571-28927205 ext.801(Mon–Fri,9am to 6:30pm,GMT+8) Fax: +86-571-28926277
Email: Stephen.Kang@FireTrust.net.cn Web: w ww.FireTrust.net.cn w ww.FireTrust.org.cn
Dear CEO,
We are the domain name registration organization in Asia,which mainly deal
with the domain name registration and dispute internationally. Now we have
something important need to confirm with your company.
On the Mar 13, 2008, we received an application formally. One company named
“FuGuang International Holdings Ltd ” wanted to register following Domain
names:
promaximaging.cn
promaximaging.com.cn
promaximaging.net.cn
promaximaging.org.cn
promaximaging.com.hk
promaximaging.hk
promaximaging.cc
promaximaging.tw
promaximaging.asia
Internet brand keyword: promaximaging
through our body.
After our initial examination, we found that the keywords and domain names
applied for registration are as same as your company’s name and
trademark.We don’t know whether you have any relation with them. These
days we are dealing with it. Now we have not finished the registration of
“FuGuang International Holdings Ltd” yet, in order to deal with this issue
better, Please contact us by telephone or email as soon as possible.
Best Regards,
Johnson
General Manager
Address: 3A, Units 20/F, Far East Consortium Bldg, 121 Des Voeux Road,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel:00852-30593099 00852-3075 9838
Fax:00852-31771520 00852-31771510
E-mail :Johnson@dnrnic.net
Dear Mr./Miss,1
This is Guangzhou AiSiJi Network Science and Technology Co., Ltd, which is the domain name
register center in China. We are writing for your confirmation. We received a formal
application from a company which is called Dabojing Investment Co.,Ltd. We are applying to
register “[company name]” as their domain name and Internet keyword in China on April 3rd, 2008.
Because involving your company name or trade marks, we take this application as one by bad
purpose and inform you in time.
1?If you think this issue is important for your company, I will list you all the domain
names and internet keyword Dabojing Investment Co.,Ltd is applying for you to review.
2?If you think these domain names and internet keywords are useful to your company or
afraid it will take some bad effect after being taken, we can help your company dispute
these domain names back and register for your company, we will send an application form to
you and inform you the register procedure so that we can assist you with the registration.
If these domain names and internet keywords would not affect your company, you can give up
them. We will finish registration of Dabojing Investment Co.,Ltd.and we are looking forward
to getting your decision ASAP.
3?If you have any further questions, please contact me.
If you are not in charge of this, please transfer this email to appropriate dept.
This is a letter for confirmation. It would be consider as a registration rights abandon if
no reply received.
Kind Regards,
Kiki Li
Registration Commissioner
Tel: +86-20-81545701
+86-20-81545702
Fax: +86-20-81688939
E-mail:kiki.li@aisiji.com
http://w ww.aisiji.com
http://w ww.aisiji.com.cn
Dear “Company Xx” ,
1
Having had your name and address from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade,we now avail ourselves of this opportunity to write to you and have something important need to confirm with your company.
We are registration service center authorized by CHINAGOV (THE DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF THE STATE COMMISSION OFFICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM) in China.We received a formal application from a company(According to The China Law & Privacy Policy,Hidden The Real Name) is applying to register ” Company XY ” as their domain names and internet brand in China and also in Asia on June 23,2008. Considering domains and internet brand would involve the intellectual property of your company’s name,patents,trademarks,and copyright, and in order to avoid confusion between them, so we inform you urgently.
At present, many domain name registries or domain name investment companies in China and even the world register domains and internet brand,and then sell them to the owner of trademark at high prices to make huge profit. Therefore, we remind you particularly that if you considered these domain names and internet brand are very important to you and there is necessary to protect them by registering them first, please let someone who is responsible for trademark or domain name contact me as soon as possible,according to the register principle, the original owner of the trademark has the priority to register.Thank you for you cooperation.
Looking forward to your prompt reply,
Kind Regards,
Dr. Stephen Kang
Chief Law Officer,Senior Consulting Director
——————————————————————————–
Internet Brand Justice & Safety Dept.
FireTrust Technology Ltd.
Address: Unit2-602,Building4,Third Qianjiang Community,Hangzhou, China
Tel: +86-571-28927205 ext.801(Mon–Fri,9am to 6:30pm,GMT+8) Fax: +86-571-28926277.
Email: Stephen.Kang@FireTrust.net.cn Web: w ww.FireTrust.net.cn w ww.FireTrust.org.cn
Hello,
I just received a similar message and this is the first result on google for “domain-service.com.cn”. Thanks for your post, as it quickly dissipated any doubts!
Greetings,
Victor
The answer here is to reply that you are really concerned about this situation, however your current cash-flow is such that you are unable to afford the registration fees.
However, if the sender could assist you in recovering some funds from the offshore account of one of your subsidiaries, unfortunately held in the name of a deceased business partner, by posing as a relative of that partner, then you’d be only too happy to not only purchase those domains, but also pay the sender a 5% commission on the funds held in the account(US $9,384,721.66), etc, etc..
What really annoys me about this is that these pond-slime actually think I’m stupid enough to fall for this.
We received a similar message today /Sep 3, 2008), which looked more formal as it does not mention the name of their customer etc. And their web site looked ok at the first glance. But after some research in the Internet I also found this site and warnings – thanks.
Here’s the message:
Honored Sir/Madam,
We are Beijing Invees Network Science and Technology Co.,Ltd which is the domain name register center in China. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register “[company name]” as their domain name and Internet keyword on Sep. 2nd, 2008.Since after our investigation we found that this word has been in use by your company, and this may involve your company name or trade mark, so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon. Thanks for your co-operation and support.
Kind Regards,
Rein.hou
Tel: +86-10-62667430 (ext.)8003
Fax: +86-10-62968871
Email:rein.hou@register-domains.com.cn / rein.hou@register-domains. cn
Beijing Invees Network Science and Technology Co.,Ltd
website:www.invees.com