Where  some-one kisses-bum in order to “trick” me into accepting  their comment.
For example:

Howdy there,this is Everett Krajcer,just discovered your web-site on google and i must say this blog is great.may I share some of the Post found in this website to my local friends?i’m not sure and what you think?anyway,Many thanks!

Complete with a nice back link to his crappy website about “low rate loans”

This black hat SEO tactic is become very widespread.

Simply google a few phrases from that comment

Whilst you will not see any exact matches, they’re all along the same sort of lines, and on blogs…

The software posting these comments alters it very slightly for each blog posting, to fool search engines. 

To combat this, I’ve installed the reCaptcha plugin onto WordPress

Installation took literally two minutes, and is now up and running. 

Apologies to any genuine comment posters, but the spam was becoming too much!

You can get the plugin here:

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-recaptcha

Below is the transcript of messages:

Make no mistake, THIS IS A SCAM

From: coddington@thedomaininvestors.com
Sent: 18 March 2010 07:54
To: Alex James Brown
Subject: ukcabs.net (sent 03/18/10)

 

Hello,

We buy and sell domains and web pr®jects. What is your price for the domain?
If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.

Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,

Maria Coddington
Vice President
Internet Investment Startegies LLC

========================================================
NOTICE – This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.
========================================================

My reply, short and sweet:

From: Alex James Brown
Sent: 18 March 2010 07:54
To: coddington@thedomaininvestors.com
Subject: Re: ukcabs.net (sent 03/18/10)

 

Looking to sell it for $40,000

Thanks

Alex

 

Now, make no mistake, I know this domain isn’t worth anywhere near $40k, but, to my amazement, a reply!

From: coddington@thedomaininvestors.com
Sent: 18 March 2010 09:31
To: Alex James Brown
Subject: Re: ukcabs.net (sent 03/18/10)

 

Alex,

Can you accept 39,000 USD?

Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?

Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.

Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain
appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It’s very
important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation
company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from
independent sources I and my partners trust.

To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal
companies.

Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
http://www.domainexplorer.org/Archive/86132905.htm

If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price
accordingly.  It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% – 15%
discount.

After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to
obtain it) we’ll continue our negotiations.

What is your preferred payment method:  Escrow.com, International wire
transfer, PayPal.com or something else?

Hope we can come to an agreement fast.

Looking forward to your reply.

Haggled me out of $1000 dollars. Damn.

My reply (sorry for the bad language, but I really do hate scammers)

From: Alex James Brown
Sent: 18 March 2010 09:51
To: coddington@thedomaininvestors.com
Subject: Re: ukcabs.net (sent 03/18/10)

 

yeah, absolutely,

sorry, I meant to say $40, but $39,000 is great! thanks.

yeah, I’ll sure do the appraisal now.

oh wait…

http://www.alexjamesbrown.com/scams/domain-name-appraisal-scam/

Kindly,

Go fuck yourself.

It was listed on places like Sedo, I advertised it on twitter and eBay.

On Saturday, 9th May, 2009, I received an email from weisberg@theonlinebrokerage.com with the subject “ukcabs.net sent (05/09/09)”

Hello,

What is the price of your domain?

We are very interested in it. Good domains are wise investment in the

future. Our company is interested in easy-to-remember domain names.

If you have other domains for sale feel free to send your list.

Looking forward to do business with you.

Regards,

Andrew Weisberg

CEO

OB Real Estate LLC

Naturally, I replied a few days later. Initially believing it to be a genuine interest in the domain name.

Hi there,

Apologies for the late reply

I’m interested in offers on the domain, please feel free to send me one.

Regards,

Alex

I didn’t hear anything for a few months, so in September, i resent the above message, and asked if he was still interested in the domain.

Around a week later, I received this reply:

Yes.

As a seller you should provide me with an appraisal first. This is a reasonable practice.

I’ve found not all the appraisals are accurate. So I accept real manual appraisals from trusted sources only.

I don’t trust $14-$20 services. Nobody will do a research for $14. We need a real manual service.

I researched several companies and here are the results:

I wanted to engage AccurateDomains.com as appraiser but looks like this company has very bad reputation Just read this blog http://accuratedomains.blogspot.com/

So I’m not going to accept this fraudulent service.

I also considered www.Afternic.com, but now it’s clear their service is not reliable enough.

Just read this:

http://www.igoldrush.com/links3.htm

"Capsule Review: After lots of complaints, Afternic is no longer a recommended service. We will re-review the service in the near future."

Another complaint

http://www.out-law.com/page-1630

I was told about manual research service from http://www.DomainMart.com. It costs – $200/hour.

Many experienced sellers suggested us http://www.Namesaleshop.com as a trustworth manual service. They charge per name not per hour. We’ve read only positive comments about them. And I have my own positive experience with this company and their support.

Just by googling “namesaleshop scam” it brings up plenty of information.

What this guy does, is pretend to be interested in buying the domain, but make you pay €60 to get it appraised by a “reputable” company, which just so happens to be his company.

Then, needless to say, vanishes.

I contacted the owner, and had a reply from someone called Jonny Simons (jonnyibiza@live.com)

Everything seemed ideal – located in San Antonio, near to Kanya (a bar on the sea front) and Café del Mar etc…

The week before, I asked for the check in details, to which he sent:

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your email. The office contact number for your check in is +34 638 739 320, please call us when you are leaving the airport so we know when to meet you. I have you down as arriving at 4pm on the island, is that still correct? Please also let us know if your flight is delayed.

We will be meeting you on the road outside the Coastline Cafe, on the LHS of the Cafe as you are facing the sea and will take you up to the apartments from there.

Please make sure that when you are checking in you have the balance in cash of €945 + €500 refundable damages deposit ready or we won´t be able to give you the keys.

The latter we can accept the equivalent in GBP if it´s easier for you.
If you have any questions please let me know.

Kind regards,

Jonny

We got there, checked in, everything seemed fine.
We were instructed how to use the alarm, and lock the door etc…

2 days later (Tuesday, 25th August 2009) we headed out, and, as we did every night, locked the door, set the alarm (pathetically easy alarm code – I won’t post it here), and went off in to town.

We returned to the apartment at about 5am, and that’s when the problems started.

All of us had things missing.

For example:

• Ipods
  Ipod Dock
  4 Phones
  Cash
  Jewellery
  Aftershave
  Cameras

There was absolutely no sign of a break in.

I phoned Monica, the girl who had given us the keys, and she offered absolutely no help what so ever.
I asked her to come to the apartment, and help us (none of us speak Spanish) so we could of done with her talking to the police, but she wouldn’t even come and help.

We scoured the apartment, and found a police report, dated a couple of weeks before, which had the EXACT same thing happen. If only we’d of seen this on our first day! We would of checked straight out!

Eventually, I got hold of Jonny, who offered the same lack of care.

We were blamed for not setting the alarm, or locking the door.
This, is nonsense. There were 5 of us in that apartment, and we ALL know we set the alarm and locked the door.

It is quite obvious to me that it is an inside job of sort.
Somone has another key for the apartment, and the alarm code.

They wait for the occupents to head out at night, and enter the apartment, and take everything they can.

I shared my concerns with Jonny:

Hi Jonny

I’m very disappointed with the lack of customer care we received whilst in Ibiza.

We had the distinct impression that you, nor Monique cared at all.  You said you would call us, however never did.

As soon as i rang Monique and asked for help, she immediately tried to blame us!

Like i said, i work in security, and one of the other guys is a CCTV installer, so we’re all clued up on security. The ONLY way someone got into that apartment is with a key, and the alarm code.

Please can you send me the full details of the apartment, including address and booking company name, so I can begin the lengthy process of claiming from our travel insurance.

Alex

And got this reply:

Hi Alex,
Thanks for your email. I am travelling for a few days and will send you the address for the apartment shortly.

Please understand that myself and Monica work directly for the owner of the apartment, and we are the messengers. Everything that you have asked or said to us has been directly referred to him, and any replies have been related back to you. He has sent me a reply to your email below.

Regards,
Jonny

´ I appreciate your comments, and I am sorry that you feel you were not properly looked after, however I do not share your point of view.

There is no-one else who has a key to the apartment, and no-one who has the alarm code. As I said to you when you were here, the alarm company confirmed that the alarm was not set when the break in ocurred and that is why it did not trip. I have sent the alarm company to review the system and it is working correctly.

You have compounded your situation over here by denouncing myself, and also Monica, neither of whom are at fault for what happened. We appreciate that there was a break in in the apartment and we are very sorry that it has happened, however, had you set the alarm correctly and put your money in the safe provided, then this situation could have been avoided. ´

Now, let me show you this “safe”

As you can plainly see, after a camera, couple of passports and wallets had been placed in there, it was full.
How we were supposed to fit 5 peoples worth of valuables in there, is anybodies guess.

The question still remains – how did they get in the apartment in the first place?

Simple answer – THEY HAD A KEY!!!!

The full address of the apartment was:

Edificio Luna y Sol, 3,3
C/ Don Bosco s/n
Sant Antoni 07820
IBIZA

And the details we were asked to pay the deposit into are:

Mr George Allen
SOLBANK
Paseo Maritimo, San Antonio
IBAN – ES03 0081 7039 01 0001 0763 15
SWIFT – BSABESBB

If this article helps just ONE person from getting conned, It’s been worth my while writing it.

Heres a few more pictures illustrating my point – the MUST of had a key!!!

Here’s the body of the email

We congratulate you this day as you have emerged a winner in the Game Corner International Lottery Organization. See attachment for claims procedure. Thank you

Yours Sincerely,

Dr. Deborah Shiemke

Announcer-Game Corner International,

United Kingdom.

This message and its attachments are for designated recipient(s) only and may contain privileged, proprietary and private information. If you have received it in error, kindly delete it and notify the sender immediately.

This was attached in a word document:

The Game Corner International 
17, Bugsby Way 
Canary Wharf, London, E15 4OM

United Kingdom 
Registered No: GCIL/UK/04281185 
Serial No: GCIL/MYP/UK/09-1250/09 
Draw No: 09945/SALD

Dear Winner,

CLAIMS NOTIFICATION

Over the years, the prestigious Game Corner International Lottery Organization has set out and successfully organized Sweepstakes on a regular basis. (Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Annually)

We have equally maintained a high standard and unrivaled in the industry as it concerns the pay out of winnings to successful participants with the help of our London Pay Banks/courier services.

In line with the commemorating event marking our 25^th year anniversary, we rolled out over £25,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Million United Kingdom Pounds) for this anniversary/mid-year draw. Participants for the draws were randomly selected and drawn from a wide range of web hosts which enjoy our patronage .The selection was made through a computer drawn system attaching personalized email addresses to ticket numbers.

As luck and destiny would have it, your email address as indicated was drawn and attached to ticket number 4019241059 with Serial No: GCIL/MYP/UK/09-1250/09 and drew these lucky numbers 04-09-12-21-23-45 (25) which subsequently won you £350,000.00 GBP (Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand United Kingdom Pounds) as one of the 25 jackpot winners in this draw. You are therefore entitled to a total payout of £350,000.00 GBP (Three Hundred and fifty Thousand United Kingdom Pounds) in Category A. The draws were conducted in East London, United Kingdom on July 26, 2009.

These lottery Draws are commemorative and as such special. Please be informed by this winning notification to make contact with our claims department with the details below who shall by duty guide you through the process to facilitate the release of your winnings accordingly.

To file for your claims; contact;

Mr. Feraren Dawson

(The Game Corner International –Claims Department)

Tel: +44-701-078-6477

Fax: +44- 8445855766

Email: ferarendawson-gcli@live.com

PROVIDE THE UNDERMENTIONED CLAIMS REQUIREMENTS/DETAILS ON a Microsoft Word Pad or On Your Direct e-mail Page AND FORWARD DIRECTLY TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEPARTMENT/OFFICER

(1) FULL NAME                                                                    (8) WINNING EMAIL ID                                                                            

(2) FULL ADDRESS                                                             (9) DATE OF WINNING AWARD

(3) NATIONALITY                                                               (10) TOTAL AMOUNT WON

(4) SEX                                                                                   (11) MARITAL STATUS

(5) AGE                                                                                  (12) REGISTERED NUMBERS

(6) OCCUPATION                                                                (13) SERIAL NUMBERS

(7) MOBILE/TELEPHONE NUMBER                                 (14) DRAW NUMBERS                      

I wish to on behalf of all members and staffs of The Game Corner International Lottery Organization to congratulate you on your win and wish you the best as you spend your good fortune.

Sincerely,

Dr. Deborah a Shiemke

The Game Corner International Lottery Organization

United Kingdom

This message and its attachments are for designated recipient(s) only and may contain privileged, proprietary and private information. If you have received it in error, kindly delete it and notify the sender immediately.

PayPal requested i send them proof of delivery (which i did)

They wrote back, stating that it does not provide a tracking number.
Absolutely right – the buyer didn’t pay for that level of delivery.

PayPal then refunded his money, and he’s disappeared, leaving me out of pocket both with the postage cost, and the item!

His email address is sopron9@gmail.com, and goes by the name of Peter Stadler

Please, don’t do business with him on eBay.

The general idea is this:

• Someone will contact you, after seeing your advert.
• They will seem interested, and sometimes ask for more pictures etc…
• After some “haggling” they will aggree to buy your car at your asking price (or very near)
• They will then send you the “terms” – Basically, they claim to be a used car dealer, and the shipping merchant they will be using to ship your car from your house to their premesis owes them money.
• You are to receive a payment for an amount, many thousands more than you will get for your car, and send the difference somewhere else (this is the scam)

The payment never arrives, and you’re left thousands out of pocket, or, if it does arrive, its a false cheque (which clears first, then the bank take it back)

I will add as many email addresses and emails as I get to this category – so that google has something to get hold of (for all those sensible googlers out there who search portions of the email / email address first)