I was researching a traeger smoker because a friend didn't use his, so I borrowed it and was maybe going to buy it from him after I tried it. So I wanted to google how much they go for.
Weirdly saw websites selling products (including the smoker) at too-good-to-be-true pricing on products that are seemingly unrelated to the domain name. Then doing some domain research (unrelated to smokers) I stumbled onto another and another. Once I started looking for them, I keep finding them.
Example 1: ZhicoHomes.com (where I saw the smoker), a domain name registered just 4 days ago, and by a chinese registrar dnspod.cn. The domain was probably was once an expired domain (although it wasn't listed in archive.org) either. They were utilizing Google ads to draw me in with the super cheap prices.
Example 2: homesmartsstaging.ca - with a Mississippi address at an empty lot (reg'd @ namesilo in 2022)
SAMSUNG 49" Class 1000R Curved (5120 x 1440) Gaming Monitor - LC49G97TSSNXDC -New in Box
Samsung 49" Odyssey Neo G9 32:9 DQHD 1440p 240Hz Quantum Mini-LED Curved 1000R Gaming Monitor (LS49AG952NNXZA) | Visions Electronics Canada
So comparing, that's a $2K monitor being sold for $200 including free shipping on a box that would be nearly 5 foot wide. So I'm definitely calling bullshit.
Example 3: gtahomesmart.ca - with an Ohio address. (reg'd @ namesilo in 2022)
I'm assuming that scammers are going after expired domains for free traffic (or use google advertising), trying to sell products they don't intend to ship and just outright rip you off, then shut down and disappear onto another set of domains.
It's odd they put US addresses on their .CA domain names. But there's really no way to contact them. One only takes paypal, one takes stripe. They include free shipping, etc.. So you could literally buy a desk for $50 and expect it to be shipped to Canada free? No really identifying information on the site, all smells as fishy as hell. So either they are charging them and disappearing, or harvesting data for phishing, or some scam.
It's too bad there's not much way to take this shit down. I know most people with any common sense would not buy something from sites like these, but, I'm sure they're making money.
@richard.schreier - anything you would suggest? Does CIRA take ever take any proactive action against a fraudulent/fishing website? For anything? Or is it strictly reactive via either a RIV complaint or a CDRP? Just wondering what our options are as .ca stakeholders.
Weirdly saw websites selling products (including the smoker) at too-good-to-be-true pricing on products that are seemingly unrelated to the domain name. Then doing some domain research (unrelated to smokers) I stumbled onto another and another. Once I started looking for them, I keep finding them.
Example 1: ZhicoHomes.com (where I saw the smoker), a domain name registered just 4 days ago, and by a chinese registrar dnspod.cn. The domain was probably was once an expired domain (although it wasn't listed in archive.org) either. They were utilizing Google ads to draw me in with the super cheap prices.
Example 2: homesmartsstaging.ca - with a Mississippi address at an empty lot (reg'd @ namesilo in 2022)
SAMSUNG 49" Class 1000R Curved (5120 x 1440) Gaming Monitor - LC49G97TSSNXDC -New in Box
Samsung 49" Odyssey Neo G9 32:9 DQHD 1440p 240Hz Quantum Mini-LED Curved 1000R Gaming Monitor (LS49AG952NNXZA) | Visions Electronics Canada
So comparing, that's a $2K monitor being sold for $200 including free shipping on a box that would be nearly 5 foot wide. So I'm definitely calling bullshit.
Example 3: gtahomesmart.ca - with an Ohio address. (reg'd @ namesilo in 2022)
I'm assuming that scammers are going after expired domains for free traffic (or use google advertising), trying to sell products they don't intend to ship and just outright rip you off, then shut down and disappear onto another set of domains.
It's odd they put US addresses on their .CA domain names. But there's really no way to contact them. One only takes paypal, one takes stripe. They include free shipping, etc.. So you could literally buy a desk for $50 and expect it to be shipped to Canada free? No really identifying information on the site, all smells as fishy as hell. So either they are charging them and disappearing, or harvesting data for phishing, or some scam.
It's too bad there's not much way to take this shit down. I know most people with any common sense would not buy something from sites like these, but, I'm sure they're making money.
@richard.schreier - anything you would suggest? Does CIRA take ever take any proactive action against a fraudulent/fishing website? For anything? Or is it strictly reactive via either a RIV complaint or a CDRP? Just wondering what our options are as .ca stakeholders.
