Don’t Fall For This $500 Domain Name Scam Hitting CNY Websites!

CNY Online News
2 hours ago
2 min read

Scammers Are Targeting Website Owners With Overpriced Domain Offers

Small business owners and website operators are being warned about a growing wave of domain selling scams, where con artists try to pressure people into paying hundreds of dollars for web addresses that are actually cheap and easy to buy.

One recent example comes from a Central New York resident who received an unsolicited message that read:

“Do you have any interest in cnyonline.com for 500 USD? I noticed you own the .org version, so maybe you will be interested in this one as well.”

At first glance, it sounds like a legitimate offer. But in reality, the so-called “$500 domain” was available for just $17 through Wix.com — a price anyone could have paid by registering the domain directly with a reputable registrar.

How the Scam Works

Scammers search for active websites that use domains ending in .org, .net, or other extensions, then reach out to the owner claiming they control the more “desirable” .com version. Their goal: convince the owner to pay hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars for something that might still be available at normal retail price.

In some cases, scammers don’t own the domain at all. They rely on fear tactics, hoping the victim will rush into sending money without checking. Even when they do control the domain, the asking price is often grossly inflated compared to what a legitimate registrar would charge.

Red Flags to Watch For

Unsolicited offers: Legitimate domain brokers rarely cold-email strangers.
Huge markups: A domain that costs $17 shouldn’t be resold for $500 unless it has significant brand value.
Pressure tactics: Messages often urge you to “act now” before someone else buys it.
Shady payment requests: If asked to pay via crypto, wire transfer, or PayPal “friends and family,” it’s almost certainly a scam.

How to Protect Yourself

Always check a domain’s availability on trusted registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Wix, or Google Domains before considering any offer.
Use a WHOIS lookup to see if the person really owns the domain.
Don’t be rushed — scammers thrive on urgency.
Report suspicious offers to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

In the Central New York example, what looked like a $500 “exclusive deal” turned out to be nothing more than a $17 domain anyone could buy in minutes.

As scams like these spread, experts remind website owners: “Do your homework before paying. If it sounds fishy, it probably is.”