496
Wholesale Shipments
First, I won't make a joke of it, but this one looks like an American scam directed to an African. I thought it was important to note because so far it has been scams going the other way around!
I do not have the original of these emails, but I the person who received it says they sent some money. Interestingly enough, the URL brings you to a complicated website that understands the name of the person, amount of the check, etc. In other words, the site is dynamic and working properly.
The URLs looked like this:
https://www.wholesaleshipments.com/crown/v85/weborder.asp? sk=GLX89F&fn=******&ln=******&ad1=P.O BOX 123 MALINDI &ad2=&ct=MALINDI&st=COA&zp=MALINDI&ph=& em=*******@AFRICAONLINE.CO.KE https://www.wholesaleshipments.com/weborder/optout.asp?sk=123456 https://www.wholesaleshipments.com/privacypolicy.htm
Notice that the person writing me is supposed to live in Malindi. That's a small town in Kenya on the East cost of Africa (East of Congo, North of Tanzania, South of Ethiopia.) His email address is a Kenian address. So that at least does match.
Now the following is the whois on that Wholesale Shipment company. I found what looked like an article about that company in the New York Times. They claim to be in NYC. So it makes sense. However, the whois places them in some unknown city/town/state/country. Well... at least, Google Map could not find that address. And the domain is anyway "hidden" by Domain Discreet. In other words, these people do not want you to know where their company really is. Quite practicle. The area code of 902 would place the company in Canada. Is that still in New York State? The city using 902 749 [5331] is Yarmouth. Ever heard of it? It's not too far from Halifax, Eastern Canada, by the Atlantic Ocean in Nova Scotia which abbreviation is NS, not PR.
whois wholesaleshipments.com
Whois Server Version 2.0
Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.
Domain Name: WHOLESALESHIPMENTS.COM
Registrar: REGISTER.COM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.register.com
Referral URL: http://www.register.com
Name Server: NS1.COVAD.NET
Name Server: NS2.COVAD.NET
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Updated Date: 13-jul-2007
Creation Date: 07-may-2004
Expiration Date: 07-may-2009
>>> Last update of whois database: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:56:57 UTC <<<
NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the
registrar's sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is
currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration
date of the domain name registrant's agreement with the sponsoring
registrar. Users may consult the sponsoring registrar's Whois database to
view the registrar's reported date of expiration for this registration.
TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois
database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and
automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or
modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry
Services' ("VeriSign") Whois database is provided by VeriSign for
information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information
about or related to a domain name registration record. VeriSign does not
guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide
by the following terms of use: You agree that you may use this Data only
for lawful purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this Data
to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass
unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail, telephone,
or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes
that apply to VeriSign (or its computer systems). The compilation,
repackaging, dissemination or other use of this Data is expressly
prohibited without the prior written consent of VeriSign. You agree not to
use electronic processes that are automated and high-volume to access or
query the Whois database except as reasonably necessary to register
domain names or modify existing registrations. VeriSign reserves the right
to restrict your access to the Whois database in its sole discretion to ensure
operational stability. VeriSign may restrict or terminate your access to the
Whois database for failure to abide by these terms of use. VeriSign
reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and
Registrars.
The data in Register.com's WHOIS database is provided to you by
Register.com for information purposes only, that is, to assist you in
obtaining information about or related to a domain name registration
record. Register.com makes this information available "as is," and
does not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a WHOIS query, you
agree that you will use this data only for lawful purposes and that,
under no circumstances will you use this data to: (1) allow, enable,
or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited, commercial
advertising or solicitations via direct mail, electronic mail, or by
telephone; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes
that apply to Register.com (or its systems). The compilation,
repackaging, dissemination or other use of this data is expressly
prohibited without the prior written consent of Register.com.
Register.com reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by these terms.
Registrant:
Domain Discreet
ATTN: wholesaleshipments.com
Avenida do Infante 50
Funchal, Madeira 9004-521
PT
Email: 77260e520a14115100725de24281b336@domaindiscreet.com
Registrar Name....: REGISTER.COM, INC.
Registrar Whois...: whois.register.com
Registrar Homepage: www.register.com
Domain Name: wholesaleshipments.com
Created on..............: Fri, May 07, 2004
Expires on..............: Thu, May 07, 2009
Record last updated on..: Fri, May 23, 2008
Administrative Contact:
Domain Discreet
ATTN: wholesaleshipments.com
Avenida do Infante 50
Funchal, Madeira 9004-521
PT
Phone: 1-902-7495331
Email: 77260e4d0a14115100c342f7a72e1cc9@domaindiscreet.com
Technical Contact:
Domain Discreet
ATTN: wholesaleshipments.com
Avenida do Infante 50
Funchal, Madeira 9004-521
PT
Phone: 1-902-7495331
Email: 77260e530a141151007d82ed7ef610fd@domaindiscreet.com
DNS Servers:
ns2.covad.net
ns1.covad.net
Visit AboutUs.org for more information about wholesaleshipments.com
AboutUs: wholesaleshipments.com
Register your domain name at http://www.register.com
Okay. So... so far, this is really bad. Now what? Well! I checked the home page (weird idea, right?) And I got an error. I thought that any one company that would want to make money would make sure that their home page works just fine.
Directory Listing Denied
This Virtual Directory does not allow contents to be listed.And if you noticed, the site is supposed to be secure. At least, it uses the HTTPS protocol. The interesting thing is that I did not get an error telling me that the site was not good. In other words, they have to have a registered certificate with someone. And they do, but somehow NONE of their information is available. I wonder what kind of a certificate that is!!! Illegally used, for sure. Below are the certificate info as shown by FireFox. As a side note, the Opt Out page also tried to open a popup window. Did not try to look at it.
The "bad" certificate is as follow:
PKCS #1 MD5 With RSA Encryption Size: 128 Bytes / 1024 Bits 20 4b 5a ef 01 7e 80 3e a6 5f da 08 ba e9 c8 d0 c9 c1 f5 57 03 c0 7a 30 78 2f da 7a a7 93 13 f2 f6 0b e1 16 cf 87 32 ca 3f 5a 20 33 22 44 ab 3a b3 bf 09 ff 30 8b 5d c4 3a ed c6 ed 5a 3e c9 60 47 97 ab 7d 61 bd d3 04 ec e5 5d b2 89 f0 5e 52 55 21 02 29 4c e9 20 e2 59 78 13 c0 02 37 20 05 48 de 06 5c b4 b0 e3 38 cc 60 43 54 f7 f5 ed 73 30 c8 14 18 0a ec 4b 84 a0 b1 20 95 97 74 68 1d
Finally, I have taken the page where these people ask you for your credit card info. Of course, there is no seal since you do not get one with the Quick Certificate from Equifax "Secure" Inc. This page you can see it by clicking here
Note that just in case I signaled on http://www.geotrust.com that the company was using the certificate illegally. The following is their answer below. We live in a good world. I think I'll buy certificates like crazy and use people's credit card all the time as I need, you know.
(#5947-000386-5764\3865764) Dear Alexis, This website does appear to be using a valid GeoTrust certificate. When you see a GeoTrust Certificate, you would have the assurance that GeoTrust has authenticated the ownership, or exclusive rights, of the domain and that proper use of the certificate allows for all information sent to the web site is sent over an encrypted (https) link. We do not vouch for business practices. The type of product these websites contain (wholesaleshipments.com and 5staroutlet.com) do not contain an address. They only contain that the website is secured by GeoTrust. The address shows on the certificate depending on what product the customer purchases. If you have any questions, please contact us via live chat at https://www.geotrust.com/support/index.asp Thank You, **********
Jambo Alexis,
Good afternoon Sir. well am a member of freelotto and i do play games very well, now i got a msg fro access America Financial group of about 7000,000 USD, i resported to them by pay about 5USD through my credit card and after i had a reply that i should give them 4weeks so that my check will be send to me, is that true, i think you know more about this than me can you help. thank you my name is ***** ****** ******, am worried.
*****
Dear Alexis,
My name is ****** ****** ******,
Also am recieving this msg after sending the first e-mail they need about 32 USD so that i can communicate with them and to send me the check, will you please let me know also about this. Thank you
******
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Date: 09/17/08 |
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****** ******* |
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****** ******, Your immediate response qualifies you to definitely receive a 61" Sony Big Screen TV or a Bank Cashier's Check for US $2,741.88 made payable to you or one of the valuable items as listed. |
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