Be careful, software scams

[Lex]

I got a spam offering all these great deals on Windows XP, Adobe Photoshop, etc... I thought, well, I'll do a little investigative reporting.

I didn't click on anything. I did do a mouse over the link, found the domain and went there. Great deals! No business address or phone number! I was to say the least shocked. lol.

So, I went to Network Solutions and did a "Who IS" on this domain. Here's what it came back with:

low-price-soft.biz Back-order this name

Domain Name: LOW-PRICE-SOFT.BIZ
Domain ID: D5844441-BIZ
Sponsoring Registrar: DIRECT INFORMATION PVT. LTD., (D.B.A. DIRECTI.COM)
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Registrant ID: DI_232409
Registrant Name: Egor Makashin
Registrant Organization: Egor Makashin
Registrant Address1: uralmash str. 15a-5
Registrant City: Ekaterenburg
Registrant Postal Code: 171811
Registrant Country: Russian Federation
Registrant Country Code: RU
Registrant Phone Number: +32.738222
Registrant Email: macarona6171@yahoo.com
Administrative Contact ID: DI_232409
Administrative Contact Name: Egor Makashin
Administrative Contact Organization: Egor Makashin
Administrative Contact Address1: uralmash str. 15a-5
Administrative Contact City: Ekaterenburg
Administrative Contact Postal Code: 171811
Administrative Contact Country: Russian Federation
Administrative Contact Country Code: RU
Administrative Contact Phone Number: +32.738222
Administrative Contact Email: macarona6171@yahoo.com
Billing Contact ID: DI_232409
Billing Contact Name: Egor Makashin
Billing Contact Organization: Egor Makashin
Billing Contact Address1: uralmash str. 15a-5
Billing Contact City: Ekaterenburg
Billing Contact Postal Code: 171811
Billing Contact Country: Russian Federation
Billing Contact Country Code: RU
Billing Contact Phone Number: +32.738222
Billing Contact Email: macarona6171@yahoo.com
Technical Contact ID: DI_232409
Technical Contact Name: Egor Makashin
Technical Contact Organization: Egor Makashin
Technical Contact Address1: uralmash str. 15a-5
Technical Contact City: Ekaterenburg
Technical Contact Postal Code: 171811
Technical Contact Country: Russian Federation
Technical Contact Country Code: RU
Technical Contact Phone Number: +32.738222
Technical Contact Email: macarona6171@yahoo.com
Name Server: NS1.MUSHROOMS-SOFTWARE.BIZ
Name Server: NS2.MUSHROOMS-SOFTWARE.BIZ
Created by Registrar: DIRECT INFORMATION PVT. LTD., (D.B.A. DIRECTI.COM)
Last Updated by Registrar: DIRECT INFORMATION PVT. LTD., (D.B.A. DIRECTI.COM)
Domain Registration Date: Tue Dec 09 17:03:22 GMT 2003
Domain Expiration Date: Wed Dec 08 23:59:59 GMT 2004
Domain Last Updated Date: Tue Dec 09 17:03:32 GMT 2003


Hmmm, domain owner in Russia, and he wants my credit card number. You don't think they'd defraud someone do you? Well, I'm sure not gonna find out.

I just thought PC people should be aware of this type thing, and always, ALWAYS when looking to purchase from a web site, no matter how slick, look for contact info, physical address, phone number. If you don't see it, go to www.networksolutions.com and do a whois. Find out if there's a good chance it's international fraud waiting to happen-

Now I will admit, there is a chance it's not fraud. However, when you look here at their shipping section:

We ship by international airmail free of charge. The time of delivery depends on your location. But usually it takes 2-4 weeks when you chose our free shipping option.

Please be patient while waiting for your order. Sometimes delivery could take up to 6 weeks. But it is worth waiting for you software rather than paying hundreds more.

I am willing to bet that means, they charge your card, you wait 6 weeks, and by then, they are long gone with your money.

Lex