Holding Domain Names Hostage
It appears a person or dubious entity is either trying to steal, has already stolen, or is holding for ransom our newly acquired domain name, but I don't quite understand how they are able to do this.
Today when attempting to login through the WordPress back office through domainname.com/ wp-admin.php, I simply received "This Site Can't Be Reached." In the past I was able to successfully login.
Then after typing the domain name in a Google instant search, the search term came up, however when I clicked on the link, once again it yielded "This Site Can't Be Reached."
Strangely, read the above Meta description under the search term (Meta title). Doesn't the Meta description imply new ownership, and doesn’t it appear the dubious entity (scammer) is asking for money?
Here is the information on the information in the Meta Description. Siteworx is apparently a web hosting control panel for managed wordpress hosting at Nexcess.
Who is the Owner of the Domain Name?
First of all, technically the domain name still belongs to our close colleague in Taiwan. He can no longer run the business, so in August we had a phone conversation and he agreed to transfer the domain name to us.
In August 2019, our close colleague in Taiwan (the "transferent") was in the process of transferring the domain name to us to be assigned to a different registrar. Presumably, we now own the property.
Even in the event our colleague did not transfer this domain name to us as he said he would, our colleague would still own the domain name under the previous registrar.
So what was the other possibility?
Did This Domain Name Expire?
Next we thought the transferent allowed this domain name to expire, and someone "out there" quickly snatched it up at a domain auction or elsewhere...
But apparently this was not the case.
Conducted a Whois.com Registry Search
However, immediately after when researching the domain name on Whois.com I could clearly see the Domain Name still belongs to the same domain registrar in Taiwan, and the domain name will not expire until June 10, 2020.
The whois.com registry appears to tell me that our colleague still owns the domain name, even if he did not transfer title to us in August 2019 as he told us he would do.
So how did this alleged "scammer" get our domain name?
What do you think could be happening here?
How is someone apparently able to hold our "domain name hostage" when the domain name clearly is still assigned to the same original registrar, AND it will not expire until June, 2020?
Cheers,
Kaju
Recent Comments
56
Hi Kaju, sounds, as if you are in the thick of it.
I am trying to follow if someone starts to move around and play with a domain name then you need access to the DNS records. that is the only way it can be done.
If there is no privacy in place it is easy enough to track down the owner, some dodgy dudes do this and can use the domain surreptitiously.
It looks as if your colleague has not transferred the name to you, this can be at times because of technical understanding.
Handshake- understanding business can be a little bit shaky if we want something or outcomes we have to take the driver's seat.
What you could have done is to create an account with the guy's domain registrar company, usually, it is a straightforward process to transfer ownership in- house. I know some registrars do it fee-free.
Ownership is nine-tenths of the law.
If you are transferring to another jurisdiction it can create issues. Countries are introducing legislation that you have to be a citizen of that country in order to own a domain name.
The Europeans are becoming particularly staunch with regard to this aspect.
That could be an issue, there are geopolitical concerns in this region between Taiwan and China
Just some thoughts.
Alex.
I hope that you get it sorted keep us updated. Cross border online business is not without difficulty and can test your metal.
We didn't want to do that Alex, because our colleagues domain registrar is in China. I did not make this request either, but in defense our colleague in Taiwan is very knowledgeable about the process.
I am not sure what the China registrar's security was like. The good news is that when we last checked, the domain is still assigned to a company that our colleague owns.
However, if our colleague still owns the domain and has not yet transferred it to us, I don't understand how the "...Welcome , Your Siteworx account is up and running like a machine..." text recently appeared in the meta description. (see screenshot above)
Our colleague would never do this.
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Bad news!!!
This seems like a terrible hacking. Maybe try to ask a specialist, a good geek who knows all the nooks of the internet because it really seems like a dirty case difficult to manage alone.
I hope you will succeed in getting your domain name out of this dirty person's claws!
Friendly
Ingrid
Bad news indeed Ingrid! I need a good computer geek badly, one much more "geeky" than me! We are on it right now and in touch with our colleague in Taiwan, who is seeking a remedy from the registrar.
This has a bad taste to it, but let's hope for the best.
Thank You my Friend:)
Have a Great Week!
Kaju
Hi Kaju,
I see this as a case of Internet piracy and extortion. When one sees the extent of Internet shenanigans going on some entity probably located in a country out of the reach of US lLaw must have hijacked this domain name.
I would not be surprised if this has become commonplace. Domain names can increase in value and these predators must have a way to automate the filtering process. Then they go after low hanging fruit. I’m sure they can hijack The likes of Google but they would be sued and lose everything.
There are three solutions. Seek out an Internet Attorney to go after the perpetrators. Or drop this Domain name. Or create a modification of It.
There is one more option. Approach the place where the domain name was purchased and collects the renewal payment. They are obligated to resolve this problem.
Sad to hear this has happened. I hope this is just an error and will get resolved.
Cheers!
Edwin
Thank You for your helpful suggestions Edwin. Our colleague in Taiwan is in contact with the registrar and we are currently seeking a resolution.
We hope this is not a case of Internet piracy and extortion, but this does not look good. Hopefully its simply an error. The registrar is located in China.
Next case scenario would be to drop the domain name, and use a close modification of it. It would not be the best solution, but not the worst either. Unfortunately, these predators know most startups don't have "deep pockets' and could afford to pay for the necessary legal representation to go after them.
Let's hope this all gets cleared up in a postiive way soon.
Thanks:)
Kaju
It sounds like the domain was hacked. If it wasn't kept up to date there are many ways that hackers can infiltrate.
I recommend WordFence as a security solution
I certainly hope not, hopefully he only parked the site.
If we get this site back in our control, I will definitely look into adding Word Fence for security. Thanks:)
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Wow, Kaju. So sorry to hear this. Hopefully it's just a matter of the prior owner making a mistake while attempting to transfer the domain name to you. Really hoping it's not the hacking job that it appears might be happening. Please keep us posted as you work through this issue. We're all pulling for you having a positive outcome without too much hassle.
Things are looking brighter now Carol, Thanks:) But we won't know for another day or two for certain.
Glad to hear it. Fingers and toes crossed for you!
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