Fake GoDaddy, Namecheap, Pinterest websites and emails targeting domain and website owners

There are a few new scam emails that are circulating and are targeting domain name and website owners. The emails try to take advantage of the famous name of some of the most famous domain name registrars and a social media platform: GoDaddy, Namecheap and Pinterest.

I have listed below 4 of the websites along with many details about the emails they use, the websites and the domain names they are using. All 4 domains are registered at Name.com that is a Donuts owned registrar. I will report all this to them so they can take action.

Last week I wrote about a New GoDaddy phishing email and website using a domain registered at GoDaddy. The website has been suspended since.

Here are the 4 new fake websites:

1. GoDaddy Logo Designs

The first scam email is using the domain name GodaddyLogoDesigns.com that was registered in August 2017 at Name.com.

The scam email has no affiliation with the real domain name registrar GoDaddy and is taking advantage of a service that GoDaddy started offering last year: the GoDaddy Logo Design Service.

GoDaddy actually owns the singular version of the scam domain name. They own GoDaddyLogoDesign.com since 2009.

The original GoDaddy logo design costs a one-time fee of $199 while the scam states a $24.99 price.

If you follow one of the “relaytrk.com” links in the email you get to GodaddyLogoDesigns.com. They have a fake GoDaddy logo and claim to be Europe’s leading design company.

The domain name relaytrk.com is registered at the original GoDaddy registrar and belongs to a Making Sense company in the US. Not sure what their affiliation with this scam is. Maybe the scammer uses them to send out the email messages.

I started a chat on the scam website and I was told that they are not the real GoDaddy but they provide services to GoDaddy clients. (whatever that means) When I asked them if they want to go to prison they closed the chat window.

Here is the complete email message:

From: GoDaddy <Sales@godaddylogodesigns.com>
To: *****************
Reply-To: Sales@godaddylogodesigns.com
Subject: Konstantinos Zournas, Give your domain an online boost

Hey Konstantinos Zournas,

Your brand coupled with a Custom Logo Design that embraces your business value, can help you attract potential customers and create a unique brand value.

We are here to guide you get your domain online and setup your business Logo that will help you achieve your business objective.

GoDaddy offers an unrivaled package consisting of 2 Custom logo designs plus UNLIMITED revisions for only USD 24.99

VISIT WEBSITE and Grab your new Logo (This offer is valid for 24 hours only)
Having catered thousands of unique and custom designs for businesses since 2005, we specialize in helping small and start-up companies who don’t have a blockbuster budget.
Peek through our PORTFOLIO and decide for yourself.
GoDaddy Logo Designs
www.godaddylogodesigns.com

This email was sent by GoDaddy Logo Designs, located at 440 North Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94085-3869 (US).

And here is another email from them:

From: Giana Jhons <Sales@godaddylogodesigns.com>
To: ********
Subject: Account Registered: Get your things in order for *******

Hey Konstantinos Zournas,

Your domain name is processed and authorized to you but it needs more work. You need to put on a great logo and web design for your domain quickly.

Grab this opportunity to get your domain online with a blast.

Click here to get started

GoDaddy is a global hosting and design company, we have served big brands like eBay, Alibaba, and Indiegogo.

We are offering you 24/7 live dedicated customer support, unlimited revisions, and money back guarantee.

Also, peek through our Portfolio Page to check out our award winning designs.

Any Question?

Click here to live chat with our customer support

Thanks,

Giana Jhons,
GoDaddy Designs

Website: www.godaddylogodesigns.com

2. GoDaddy Design Service

There is a second fake website located at godaddydesignservice.com. The domain name was registered in August, 2017 at Name.com.

Here is the email I received about this scam:

From: GoDaddy <sales@godaddydesignservice.com>
To: *******************
Subject: Design notification for your domain
Hi there,
Congrats on getting a new domain name!
If you have already sorted out how you are building the site and have a logo ready to go then best of luck!
If not we might be able to help you out.
We create logo’s for websites and customers love our work! Here is an example of what we can do for you.
Logo PortfolioLogo PortfolioLogo Portfolio
It’s super affordable ($19.99), and we will guide you through the process of building your logo.
If you want to learn more visit us here.
We also build websites and we can help you on your journey to an online presence!
Here is our website portfolio.
GoDaddy Designs have over 15 years managing the online design needs for SMB’s and large enterprises.
Have a great day!
Alessandra Ambrosio
GoDaddy Designs, 
140 West St, New York, NY 10013, United States
800-589-2951 (24/7)
If you do not want to receive further emails from us, please click here.

Here is what the fake website looks like:

3. Pinterest Designs

As soon as I finished writing this post I got another email this time from PinterestDesigns.com. These are probably the same people the GoDaddy scam as the domain name pinterestdesigns.com is also registered with Name.com. It was registered in September 2017.

Here is the email:

From: Madison Grace <Sales@pinterestdesigns.com>
To: ******************
Subject: Grab the best designs for your new domain

Your New Domain Logo Design

Pinterest Designs is a world class, innovation oriented web hosting and design agency with customer portfolio of almost 7000 MNC’s and Small enterprises.

Great Saving!

2 Logo Design Concepts
Unlimited Revisions
1 Creative Designer
24-48 Hour Turnaround Time
Free Icon Design
Dedicated Account Manager
Ownership Rights
100% Money Back Guarantee

$ 24.99 Only
With this package you can get complete source files of your final logo design.

SIGNUP NOW

Here is what the PinterestDesigns.com website looks like along with the stolen Pinterest logo:

They also have the stupidest disclaimer I have ever read:

The logo, name and graphics of Pinterest Designs and its products & services are the trademarks of Pinterest Designs. All other company names, brand names, trademarks and logos mentioned on this website are the property of their respective owners and do not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof by Pinterest Designs and do not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation of Pinterest Designs by the respective trademark owner.”

4. Namecheap designs

Then I got another email targeting Namecheap.com customers.

These are the same people behind the GoDaddy and Pinterest scam as the domain name namecheapdesigns.com is also registered with Name.com. It was registered in September 2017.

Here is the email:

From: Name Cheap Designs <sales@namecheapdesigns.com>
To: *******
Reply-To: sales@namecheapdesigns.com
Subject: Grab the best designs for your new domain

 

90% off Your New Domain Logo Design
Get Started
Start your custom Logo or Website Design project with us now and receive an instant 70% to 90% OFF* on your project!

Activate your coupon by clicking on your code: CO-XIX-03W
Only valid for 48 hours

– Get your Designs delivered in 24 Hours
– Choose from a variety of Design Options
– Get your money back instantly if your designs aren’t beyond expectations
– All File Formats provided in all Sizes

*Offer applies to this email recepients only.
You have been sent this email because you are a registered user of Name Cheap Designs

Copyright © Name Cheap Designs, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
sales@namecheapdesigns.com

 

Be very careful there could be many more companies and people targeted by these crooks!

All 4 domain names above are using name.com nameservers and all the website IPs are located in Texas, US.

Please don’t use any of these scam services. They will probably just take your money and deliver nothing.

If you see another fake website and email that is not listed above please leave a comment below.

Sold.Domains

About Konstantinos Zournas

I studied Computer Engineering and Computer Science in London, UK and I am now living in Athens, Greece. I went online in 1995, started coding in 1996 and began buying domain names and creating websites in 2000. I started the OnlineDomain.com blog in 2012.

4 comments

  1. It is so incredible how these scams keep on improving their approach. In the past they were so obvious that I wondered how someone could actually fall for the scam. But the way these look I can see how. To me the Godaddy scam one if looked at pretty quickly would seem legit.

    Thanks for sharing it is important to be aware of these and many other scams. I know the one I see in my inbox a lot if the appraisal scam they send an email saying they have a buyer for a domain you own then all you have to do is make a simple easy low payment for the appraisal of the domain in order for the buyer to complete the purchase. Too funny every time I see it.

    – Will

  2. While lots of people fight against more regulation online and insist on more anonymous options, it’s these scams here (Along with others) that clearly show people need to be held accountable for their actions and that more regulation would help slow it down a bit at least.

    These people need to be arrested and thrown in jail. Until mainstream media start to show more arrests in this sector across the world, it’s only going to get worse. At the moment, many of these people don’t feel they will ever get caught and even if they did, they are comfortable knowing they won’t go to jail (Depending one where they are and the laws).

    I say we need to put fear into their hearts and start slapping on the handcuffs so that all their buddies understand how serious this really is.

  3. Konstantinos Zaunas, Thank you, for this alert post.

  4. Ugh, I got a few spam texts from godaddy’s logo designs. I had to block it a few times before they eventually stopped.

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